LARWILL, Ind. – When Kelley Sheiss was told she would receive the 2021 Cattlewoman of the Year Award from the Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA), she was reluctant to accept it at first.

“Joe (Moore, IBCA executive vice president) said someone nominated me and then I was chosen (to receive the award),” Sheiss recalled. “There are other individuals who saw something in me that I might not have seen in myself. I’m not a quiet person. I have a voice and I have a passion. I hope that’s evident in all the things I do.

“It was surprising, overwhelming and truly humbling, especially when I think about all the names that came before me. When I walk into the (IBCA) board room, I’m in awe of those I serve with, with so many legacies, and then there’s me.”

Sheiss received the honor during the IBCA banquet in late January.

“I didn’t grow up on a farm,” she said. “I wouldn’t be in farming if not for the family I married into.”

Her family owns 3D Stock Farms north of Larwill in Whitley County. The family has a farrow-to-finish swine operation and a 75-head commercial cow-calf operation focused on producing quality show steers and replacement heifers. They also raise show poultry and have about 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat and hay.

Her father-in-law, Daryl, started farming in Maryland, Kelley Sheiss said, and single-handedly built everything that is now 3D Stock Farms. In addition to Daryl, the farm today is run by Kelley’s husband Donnie, and Donnie’s brother David. Dillon, Kelley and Donnie’s son, is the third generation.

“Family farming is an interesting dynamic, it’s not easy,” she noted. “Dillon has a lot of hopes, dreams and expectations. There’s no more rewarding sight than to see the three generations working together.”

Sheiss grew up in the suburbs of Lancaster, Pa., and, given her love of animals, wanted to be a veterinarian. She studied veterinary science at Penn State University before switching to animal science. She minored in business and marketing.

After graduation, Sheiss worked for the Pennsylvania Beef Council in the retail and food service sector promoting beef and veal. She later moved in Chicago for her “dream job” working for the National Livestock and Meat Board. She was an industry director of state services.

In 1995, her husband’s family sold the farm in Pennsylvania and moved the animals and equipment to Larwill. “My husband’s intent was to farm full time. The opportunity for the family to expand in Pennsylvania was limited; they were competing with development. That’s why they chose to pick up roots and move here.”

After moving to Indiana, Sheiss worked with extension for a while, and was a 4-H leader and active FFA parent. She was an area 11 director for six years for IBCA and now serves on the organization’s executive board as vice president. She will become IBCA president in 2024.

She’s currently an agriculture teacher at Whitko Career Academy in Larwill. Sheiss said she’s a huge believer in the checkoff and in supporting the industry’s protein products.

“I just have a love for the industry and a desire to serve,” she explained. “I think those in agriculture should be very visible in the community and not just when we’re doing our jobs.

“We need more young people to become involved in our industry, whether they have one head of cattle, 100 head or 1,000 head. Be involved and support your industry. Be a voice for ag.”

Sheiss said she grew up wanting to live on a farm. “I wasn’t raised on a farm, and I had no experience with 4-H or FFA. But I would have given anything growing up to wake up where I am now – on a farm.”