The Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame is inducting two individuals with outstanding lifetime contributions to the Wisconsin meat industry: Dan Schaefer and Steve Van Lannen. Their inductions take place as part of an awards ceremony April 9, 2026, held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors Annual Convention. At the event, college students who have received industry scholarships from the Wisconsin Livestock and Meat Council will also be recognized.

The dinner and awards ceremony start with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 at the Marriott Madison West, Middleton. Individuals wanting to attend the event can register online at wi.amp.com/convention/.  Those interested can register for the celebration only, and do not need to register for the entire conference.

Dan Schaefer

Schaefer joined the University of Wisconsin – Madison Animal Science Department in 1981 as an assistant professor. During his nearly 40-year career with the University, he led ground-breaking research in feeding Holstein steers.

Courtesy of the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame

Schaefer's work in supplementing vitamin E in rations to improve meat color is still used today. He would go on to serve as department chair and was instrumental in efforts to construct the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery building on campus.

Steve Van Lannen

During Van Lannen's 30 plus years in the meat industry, he ran packing companies in six states but spent most of his career in Wisconsin, most recently as president and chief operating officer of American Foods Group.

Steve Van Lannen. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame

Through innovation and forward thinking, Van Lannen's leadership brought growth and diversity to the companies he worked for. An advocate of education, he mentored employees and students at the high school and collegiate level.

The Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame was created in 1993 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the meat industry in Wisconsin. The Hall of Fame program is coordinated by the University of Wisconsin­–Madison Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery program (part of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the Wisconsin Livestock and Meat Council (WLMC).

For the 2025-2026 school year, the WLMC awarded $12,000 in scholarships to university students from campuses at Madison, Platteville and River Falls. These are students who have demonstrated interests in animal science, particularly in the production and processing of beef, pork, lamb and veal. The scholarships are supported by the donations of meat and livestock businesses throughout Wisconsin.

Source: Wisconsin Meat Industry Hall of Fame