Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Recognizing excellence in custom harvesting.

The U.S. Custom Harvesters Hall of Fame is the only nationwide honorarium in the United States which recognizes the top harvesters for their lifetime achievements and support of the business, without regard to affiliation with commodity groups, membership organizations, or the industry sector.

It was founded in 1998 by the Board of Directors, who solicit and review nominations. The organization hosts the annual convention at which members of USCHI are invited to gather and recognize new honorees in a formal induction ceremony at the Awards Banquet on Saturday evening.

Mike and Wendy Kraft

"We started out on this custom harvesting journey as kids. Through all the ups and downs, our friends at USCHI have always supported us and conventions are something we look forward to. We're both so proud to hold a place in the U.S. Custom Harvester's Hall of Fame."

Mike and Wendy Kraft
2022 Hall of Fame Inductees
Owners, Kraft Harvesting

Hall of Fame

2026
Mike Parker
Mike Parker
Waterville, KS
2024
Steve Cranston
Steve Cranston
Ness City, KS
Shorty Kulhanek
Shorty Kulhanek
Colby, KS
2023
Larry Preisser
Larry Preisser
Cunningham, KS
Jim Smith
Jim Smith
Frederick, OK
2022
Max and Ray Keller
Max and Ray Keller
Hunter, KS
Mike and Wendy Kraft
Mike and Wendy Kraft
Munich, ND
Kelly Kravig
Kelly Kravig
Racine, WI
Steve Shepherd
Steve Shepherd
Onida, SD
2021
Karl Brooks
Karl Brooks
Kansas City, MO
2020
Bobbie Dobson
Bobbie Dobson
Morton, TX
Larry and Nancy Schroeder
Larry and Nancy Schroeder
Inman, KS
Greg and Cheryl Thurman
Greg and Cheryl Thurman
Burlington, OK
2019
Jim Baker
Jim Baker
Spearman, TX
Gerry Rattei
Gerry Rattei
Napoleon, ND
2018
Rick and Gary Farris
Rick and Gary Farris
Edson, KS
John Keller
John Keller
Hesston, KS
LaVern and Carlene Schemper
LaVern and Carlene Schemper
Holdrege, NE
David Wolf
David Wolf
Belfield, ND
2017
Alfred Friesen
Alfred Friesen
Meade, KS
Allen Funk
Allen Funk
Bath, SD
David Lauer
David Lauer
Kansas City, MO
Eddie Popwell
Eddie Popwell
Wellington, TX
Forrest Tupper
Forrest Tupper
Bison, KS
2016
Kevin Bien
Kevin Bien
Atlanta, GA
Dan Lamb
Dan Lamb
Bakersfield, CA
Roger Nitsch
Roger Nitsch
Hunter, KS
Bob and Ann Ogle
Bob and Ann Ogle
Pratt, KS
Lance and Mona Stephenson
Lance and Mona Stephenson
Camargo, OK

Full List of Inductees

2026


Mike Parker
Waterville, KS

2024


Steve Cranston
Ness City, KS
Shorty Kulhanek
Colby, KS

2023


Larry Preisser
Cunningham, KS
Jim Smith
Frederick, OK

2022


Max and Ray Keller
Hunter, KS
Mike and Wendy Kraft
Munich, ND
Kelly Kravig
Racine, WI
Steve Shepherd
Onida, SD

2021


Karl Brooks
Kansas City, MO

2020


Bobbie Dobson
Morton, TX
Larry and Nancy Schroeder
Inman, KS
Greg and Cheryl Thurman
Burlington, OK

2019


Jim Baker
Spearman, TX
Gerry Rattei
Napoleon, ND

2018


Rick and Gary Farris
Edson, KS
John Keller
Hesston, KS
LaVern and Carlene Schemper
Holdrege, NE
David Wolf
Belfield, ND

2017


Alfred Friesen
Meade, KS
Allen Funk
Bath, SD
David Lauer
Kansas City, MO
Eddie Popwell
Wellington, TX
Forrest Tupper
Bison, KS

2016


Kevin Bien
Atlanta, GA
Dan Lamb
Bakersfield, CA
Roger Nitsch
Hunter, KS
Bob and Ann Ogle
Pratt, KS
Lance and Mona Stephenson
Camargo, OK

2015


Darrell Wagner
Mankato, KS
Gordon Haynes
Odell, TX
David Haynes
Vernon, TX
Jim Deibert
Colby, KS
Lloyd Wente
Hennessey, OK
Tim and Nita Foslien
Benson, MN

2014


Carl Rodgers
Phillipsburg, KS
Perry and Candice Hoffman
Bowdle, SD
Lonnie and Gail Pruett
Snyder, OK

2013


Howard Hale
Miniatare, NE
Arthur L. Howard
Warren, MN

2012


Keith and Sally Neufeld
Inman, KS
Jimmy and Earlene Davenport
Quinton, OK

2011


Ron and Kristy Misener
Elk City, OK

2010


Bobby Johnson
Amarillo, TX

2009


Mike Barnett
East Moline, IL
Rex Logan
Eskridge, KS

2008


Max Louder
Mankato, KS
Doug Paxton
Weatherford, OK
Scott and Linda Payne
Imperial, NE
Phyllis Weiss
Tulia, TX

2007


Roger Lawson
Lincoln, NE
Ron Lange
LeClaire, IA
Bruce Neufeld
Inman, KS

2006


Ed Cole
Hamlin, TX
Ron Cooper
KS, Highway Patrol
Ed Peck
Tecumseh, KS

2005


Danny Dobson
Morton, TX
Delmas Dobson
Morton, TX

2004


George and Mary Stolzenburg
Clyde, KS
Lee Pollert
Clarksdale, MO
Wendel and Lynne Nelson
Hawarden, IA
Ray Pollert
Clarinda, IA
Walter and Ruth Olsen
Underwood, ND

2003


Gene and Elaine Martin
Viola, KS

2002


Verlin and Dorothy Blehm
Guthrie, OK
Charlie Gause
Overland Park, KS
Melvin and Vivian Eyster
Thomas, OK
Robert and Alvera Johnson
Mt. Hope, KS

2001


Leo Popwell
Wellington, TX
Ellouise House
Tulia, TX
Don Wright
Sidney, NE
Tommy Dishman
Wichita Falls, TX

2000


Doc and Shirley Eaker
Uvalde, TX
Ken and Mable Vieth
Canyon, TX
Earl and Ellen Evans
Levelland, TX
Dave Jordan
Broken Arrow, OK

1999


J.L. Pettiet
Tulia, TX
Buster Finneman
Galva, ND
Carl Rieger
Culbertson, NE
Norris Kytle
Kansas City, MO
Don Kniffen
Lorena, TX
Camiel and Mercedes Beert
Bettendorf, IA
Bill and Jean Jarrard
Moline, IL

For Farmers & Producers

Need a harvest crew? We'll help you find one.

Membership with USCHI offers direct job leads through our office communication system and a public directory listing to help farmers find your crew. We provide professional advocacy through dedicated lobbying in Washington D.C. while fostering vital networking opportunities at our annual convention.

To find a crew: