About
Charles W. Herbster from Falls City, Nebraska, is a farmer and the owner and Chief Executive Officer of:
- Carico Farms Inc., Falls City, Nebraska
- Herbster Angus Farms Inc., Falls City, Nebraska
- North American Breeders Inc., Berryville, Virginia
- Conklin Company Inc., with executive offices in Kansas City, Missouri, and manufacturing and distribution in Shakopee, Minnesota
- Agri-Solutions Inc., Red Oak, Iowa
- Judy’s Dream Inc., Omaha, Nebraska
Carico Farms Inc., have been in Charles’ family since first
homesteaded in 1847 by Charles’ great-great-grandfather, William
McKendry Maddox. Today, the farms produce corn, soybeans, and
dairy-quality alfalfa hay. In addition to the row crop operation,
Charles started in the Angus business at the age of 10, beginning with
his Grandmother Carico’s purchase of registered Angus cattle for him.
The cattle provided a training ground in life and strategic lessons for
business success. Charles’ passion for the Angus breed grew into
Herbster Angus Farms Inc.—an elite Angus herd marketing genetics and
semen worldwide.
North American Breeders Inc. is a premier bull semen collection
operation in Berryville, Virginia. This purchase gave Herbster Angus
Farms full control of their bulls, the quality of semen sold to
breeders, and the ability to ensure the legacy of North American
Breeders by serving the cattle industry far into the future.
Charles graduated from Falls City High School. He attended the
University of Nebraska for nearly two years, returning to the family’s
farms upon the death of his mother. While attending the University,
Charles was the Nebraska Vice President of Future Farmers of America
(FFA) and traveled extensively throughout the state, speaking about
agriculture. Charles became a Conklin Distributor on Dec. 1, 1976; he
was appointed a Conklin Director July 1, 1977, setting a company record
for the pace at which anyone had reached this coveted title. Bob
Conklin, then Owner and Founder of the Conklin Company, requested
Charles join the corporate staff and accept the position of National
Sales Manager. He traveled the country throughout 1978-79 serving,
supporting, and training Distributors coast to coast.
In 1980, he resumed his role as a Conklin Director as well as
assisting his Grandmother Carico in operating the family’s farms. He
married his wife, Judy, in 1982, and they built their Conklin business
together. In 1992, Charles became majority shareholder of the Conklin
Company when he purchased 52% of the company from the Conklin family. In
1994, he became the sole owner, which fulfilled his 15-year goal to
play a major role in preserving the foundation on which the company was
built upon and maintaining the opportunities of the free enterprise
system.
Charles is the Chief Executive Officer and took on the role of
President and Chief Operating Officer upon his wife’s passing in May
2017. Conklin’s administrative offices are located in Kansas City,
Missouri, and its manufacturing operations and distribution warehouse is
in Shakopee, Minnesota. Conklin is one of few companies left today that
is “farmer-owned.” Charles is proud of the products Conklin produces
and sells right here in the United States of America!
In 2019, Charles purchased Agri-Solutions Inc., located in Red
Oak, Iowa. Agri-Solutions manufactures liquid fertilizers, which is one
component of Conklin Company Inc.’s world-class crop management system,
the AgroVantage® System. The purchase allows for the continuation of
Conklin’s and Agri-Solution’s 20-year tradition of producing the
highest-quality starter and foliar liquid fertilizers.
Charles is active in Republican politics and continues to serve as
the National Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Advisory Committee
for President Donald J. Trump. He is a member of the Nebraska Farm
Bureau, the Nebraska Cattlemen Association, American Angus Association,
and the NRA. Additionally, Charles has been actively involved with the
National Day of Prayer for more than a decade, sharing the significance
of prayer in the United States—from our Founding Fathers all the way to
today’s national leaders.
Knowing the importance of an education and the value of supporting the academic development of America’s future leaders, Charles invests in the education of students pursuing a college degree through the Charles W. Herbster Foundation. In addition, Charles provides financial support to the Angus Foundation, which includes programs dedicated to education, youth, and research in the Angus breed and the agricultural industry. Charles has donated more than $1 million to these important foundations and continues to lend his support to America’s youth.
Work
The Herbster Angus Farms’ program is built on honesty and value, from how we market and sell our cattle and semen, to the data turned into the American Angus Association. Our customers’ conception rate and herd betterment are always first in our mind.
Conklin Company Inc. is celebrating nearly 50 years as a manufacturing and distribution company. At the core of the Conklin opportunity lies our quality products—more than 130 across six major product divisions: Agronomics, Animal Products, Roofing Systems, Health, Home, and Vehicle Products.
Civic Involvement
Charles W. Herbster of Falls City, Neb., named the National Chairman of the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Committee for the Donald J. Trump Campaign for President. In addition, Charles is a proud supporter of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball benefiting cancer research, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, Nebraska Future Farmers of America, the Falls City Community Medical Center Foundation, the Angus Foundation, and many other local charities.
Charles W. Herbster Foundation Scholarship
The mission of the Conklin Company, “. . . to build a company committed to growth and helping people see who they are and the difference they can make,” was expanded to invest in the education of college students of Conklin Independent Distributors through the Charles W. Herbster Foundation. The Foundation also provides support to high school graduates from public and priviate schools located in Falls City, Nebraska.
In the News
- CHARLES W. HERBSTER DONATES $12,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO FALLS CITY STUDENTS – 10/18/17
- CMC RECEIVES DONATION FROM CHARLES W. HERBSTER – 11/01/17
- MATCHING GIFT BOOSTS NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER – 12/12/17
- A VISION FOR THE FUTURE: HERBSTER ANGUS FARMS (BEST OF THE WEST) – 03/26/18
- MISS USA HOPES TO MAKE NEBRASKANS PROUD – STATE TOUR SPONSORED BY CHARLES W. HERBSTER – 07/19/18
- MISS USA’S HOMECOMING TOUR – APPEARANCES SPONSORED BY HERBSTER ANGUS FARMS OWNER AND CEO CHARLES W. HERBSTER – 07/18/18
- CHARLES W. HERBSTER HOSTS MISS USA DURING NEBRASKA HOMECOMING WEEK – 07/18/18
- MISS USA TO VISIT NORFOLK NEXT WEEK – CHARLES W. HERBSTER HOSTS HOMECOMING EVENTS – 07/12/18
- CATTLE GROUPS SUPPORT A SONNY PERDUE/CHARLES HERBSTER USDA TEAM – 03/03/17
- THE HUNT FOR A NEW SECRETARY OF AG – 11/03/16
- TRUMP LOOKS TO DRUM UP SUPPORT IN RURAL AMERICA – 08/16/16
- TRUMP’S TOP AG ADVISER: A KINGMAKER FROM THE PLAINS – 07/27/16
- NEBRASKAN GIVEN PROMINENT AG POSITION OF DONALD TRUMP CAMPAIGN – 06/20/16
- HERBSTER ANNOUNCES NEW CO-CHAIRS TO JOIN NATIONAL TRUMP AG ADVISORY COMMITTEE – 10/07/16
Owners of Herbster Angus Farms
National Chairman of the Agricultural and Rural Advisory Committee
Charles W. Herbster Foundation Scholarship
Fall City, Nebraska
Conklin National Convention
Branson, MO