Moudy Teaches Cowboy Ethics, Code of the West
Published: Friday, October 16, 2026
Elkhart County Farm Bureau Inc.'s Cowboy Ethics program is expanding to more schools under the leadership of Dwight Moudy.
The Nappanee resident has become a popular speaker in fifth grade classrooms at the Elkhart Community School Corp. and, most recently, South Bend Community School Corp. Wearing his signature hat, Moudy appears in classrooms to share how cowboys tackle everyday challenges—by following the "Code of the West."
Originally an off shoot of Elkhart County Farm Bureau, Cowboy Ethics Indiana became a nonprofit organization two years ago. The Farm Bureau continues to support the educational initiative, and others have also stepped up.
Moudy says former students have gone on to greater things after being inspired by his presentations. One former student wrote him a letter saying the program changed his life. Another former student is now an agricultural lender.
"People in general, I think, are looking for something to believe in, something to feel good about or to give direction," he said.
The 10 principles in the Code of the West document are simple and straight-forward, yet lacking in a growing number of today's youth. The 10 principles are: Live each day with courage. Take pride in your work. Always finish what you start. Do what has to be done. Be tough, but fair. When you make a promise, keep it. Ride for the brand. Talk less and say more. Remember that some things aren't for sale. Know where to draw the line.
Moudy and Farm Bureau leaders also teach Cowboy Ethics at Elkhart High School. They teach hands-on agricultural lessons at the school's farm. He said one goal is to make it a working farm, complete with a barn, greenhouse and beef herd.
"When you get these kids into the real world, it means something," he said. "But when you sit there and you're doing pre-calculus or algebra—formulas—it's not as exciting."
Moudy visits the Elkhart ag classes on the first day of every school week. That's become known as "Moudy Monday." He talks about the Code of the West and then asks students to select one of the principles that they will adopt as their own. When he comes to the school each week, he asks them if they saw their principle in action and if they demonstrated it in the past week.
"Number 7 is Ride for the Brand. Did you see somebody put their personal feelings aside to get something done in the school," he said. "So, we keep it top of mind with them all the time."
Moudy produces two podcasts per month, with a reach of 500 listeners.
This year, Moudy is assisted by two interns who also teach in the elementary schools.
The Cowboy Ethics program overlaps with agriculture in many areas. For many students in the South Bend schools, the subject matter is unfamiliar to them.
"This is like talking about Mars or Venus with them," he said. "The majority of them have never been near a farm or farming operation."
Though the subject matter involves cowboys and the West, Moudy said the principles apply to non-agricultural professions.
He offers a Cowboy Ethics boot camp for teachers.
In all, Moudy and his interns are working in seven schools. In addition to Elkhart and South Bend, Cowboy Ethics Indiana is being taught at Oak Farm Montessori in Avilla and at an elementary school in Shadesville, Ohio.
Moudy said he feels passionate about Cowboy Ethics and wants to expand the program to other areas. He is reaching out to service and civic groups to let them know about opportunities to partner.
For distant locations like Shadesville, Moudy visits the area for a daylong workshop to teach the curriculum to educational professionals. The fees are usually covered by scholarships.
"Anytime anyone asks me about Cowboy Ethics, I'm there," he said.
With Cowboy Ethics, Moudy said he has seen the most success at the fifth-grade level.
"Fifth (grade) is where those kids are starting to become mature and still able to change a little," he said. "And that's where we have the best success."
Looking to the future, Moudy said a succession plan is needed to keep the program going strong.
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