Congratulations to Jack and Tena Petter, the 2025 Idaho Hall of Fame Award recipients.
Jack and Tena Petter’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance, partnership, and faith in the dairy way of life. Jack, a third-generation dairyman whose family roots trace back to the Netherlands, always dreamed of running his own dairy. Starting out with limited resources and no family funding, he and Tena relied on hard work, faith, and determination to make that dream a reality.
After several rejections from banks, Jack and Tena finally secured a loan and purchased a small, rundown dairy in California with just 60 heifers. They poured everything into restoring and growing the operation before eventually moving to Idaho, where they continued to build and expand their business in Buell.
Like many in the industry, the Petters faced hard times during the 2008 financial crisis. But through creativity, persistence, and the support of loyal friends and business partners, they found a way forward. Their employees—many of whom stayed with them for nearly two decades—were part of that success story.
Tena managed the bookkeeping while Jack oversaw operations, a partnership that balanced skill with shared purpose. Their resilience and trust in each other carried them through every challenge, leaving behind a lasting example of teamwork and faith.
Jack and Tena’s legacy is one of courage, integrity, and deep love for the dairy community. Their story reflects the heart of dairy farming—where perseverance and gratitude go hand in hand.
Congratulations again to Jack and Tena Petter for being honored with Dairy West’s 2025 Idaho Hall of Fame Award!
