By: Barbara Jenkins 

Earlier this fall, Arkansas Valley Electric had the unique privilege to give four cooperative members a quarter of a beef, completely free. This is part of a new initiative to foster relationships with AVECC members, honor our rural roots, and promote community connection. Currently known as “The Beef Giveaway” is comprised of four key components: the county, the fair, the beef, and the giveaway. 

The County

AVECC chose to partner with Logan County for the 2024 event. AVECC contacted Logan county extension agent Sarah Enoch to be a liaison between AVECC and involved individuals. 

The Fair

AVECC’s team visited the South Logan County Fair in Booneville, Arkansas on the livestock show day. Each 4-H and FFA exhibitor, along with the 4-H and FFA advisors, and Fair Board received a free Willie Wiredhand t-shirt that featured the saying, “For Farmers, By Farmers” which was a nod to the cooperative’s rural beginnings by farmers in Johnson, Franklin, and Logan counties in the 1930s.

AVECC also prepared free snow cones for all exhibitors and spectators at the show. Needless to say, they were a hit with fair-goers of all ages! 

The Beef

A market steer was purchased by Magazine High School FFA member, Jackson Pickartz. Pickartz raised his steer from birth on his grandfather’s farm in Magazine. Jackson has been a member of Magazine FFA since his freshman year. Pickartz showed his steer and two other heifers at both the North and South Logan County Fairs. The steer walked away with two Grand Champion Market Steer awards at both county fairs! 

Pickartz shared, “When you are showing a market animal at the fair, you know ultimately that animal will be used for meat. I think the cooperative’s beef giveaway program is a great way to give back to people and care for them.”

As a Senior this year, his experiences showing at the county fair have shaped the way he views the agriculture industry and his plans for his future. 

“I plan to get an associate's degree in HVAC, then get a bachelor's degree in business. I also hope to raise my own cattle at home.”

Once the steer was purchased, AVECC partnered with Daily Meats Processing in Scranton, Arkansas. (Daily Meats also has a location in Booneville, Arkansas.)

The beef was processed and quartered by Daily Meats.

 The Giveaway

AVECC randomly drew four members’ names, one for each district across the cooperative’s service territory. AVECC delivered the quarter of a beef and met the winners. 

Amy Scott of Pocola shared,  “This meat is going to my Mamaw’s house, because she has the freezer space. She also cooks Sunday lunch for my family each week, so this meat will go to good use!”

Jasper and Heather Kelley of Waldron were thankful for the beef, especially since their family recently grew. Heather shared, “I thought there was no way we had just won something because we had never won anything before. It’s a lot of meat. We have three foster kids. So, there are four children in our home right now, and they're meat eaters."

Lawrence Swaim of Natural Dam is a lifelong resident of the Natural Dam area and values family get-togethers and ensured the cooperative that the beef would go to good use. “We've got a big swimming pool, and our kids and grandkids come over for cookouts, and y'all just furnished a bunch of good ones.”

Ray and Clara Boyd of Dover met AVECC’s delivery team on the Dover town square. Ray has had a good relationship with the cooperative since the beginning. She shared,  “I’ve been a cooperative member since REA brought electricity to Dover when I was five-years-old. I didn’t know you were giving away meat. Thank the Lord, it is a blessing.”

AVECC Media team member Emily Reames shared, "Participating in this project was an incredibly enriching experience. It allowed us to extend our contributions towards ‘Changing the Communities We Serve’ beyond our daily responsibilities at the cooperative and to give back to our members in a meaningful way.”

AVECC hopes to continue “The Beef Giveaway” in future years with counties, fairs, and members from across our service territory.