Eminent Farmer/Rancher
County: Kingsbury
Arnold Wienk is a commercial cattleman, and is known for his strong support of the Charolais breed, and South Dakota agriculture. He is a founding member of the Upper Midwest Charolais Association, the South Dakota Charolais Association and Kingsbury County Cattlemen's Association. He served as president of the American International Charolais Association and was on the National Cattlemen's Beef Board. In 1985, Wienk Charolais was named Seedstock Producer of the Year by the South Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the American International Charolais Association. In 2009, Wienk and his wife, Carol were inducted into the American International Charolais Association Hall of Fame.
The family has been actively involved in 4-H and supported 4-H, FFA and collegiate judging teams for several years. 2011 will mark 45 years that the Wienk family have shown livestock at the South Dakota State Fair. Recognized for their dedication, in 2008 Wienk and his wife, Carol received the SDSU Friend of the Beef Industry Award at the SDSU Beef Bowl. Arnold and Carol have five daughters, Deb Vedvei, Kim Jensen, Peggy Nolz, Jody Eschenbaum and Amy Bailey.