HC Cattlemen Association continue to support the future of the industry

MT. PLEASANT - The Henry County Cattlemen Association has focused its efforts in supporting the future of the cattle industry by collaborating with educational programs and providing scholarships to students in the area.

Adam Smith, president of the association, said the group has spent a lot of time in the last year focusing on the educational aspect of their mission statement.

Though the group has always been involved with schools in the area, with the recent revival of the FFA program in Mt. Pleasant, the association has also provided monetary support.

'We've committed $5,000 a year for three years. We plan on doing things afterward and keep supporting it,” Smith said.

Outside of FFA, the association also donates beef to culinary arts programs across the county as well as helps grill at events for local schools. This past year, the association helped grill 400 hamburgers for the students and staff of the WACO Community School District.

'The fun part is the grilling, going out and grilling for organizations and events. It's a fun time,” Smith said.

Each year, the association takes time to recognize graduating seniors as well and provides $1,000 scholarships to students who are involved with the association. The scholarships are implemented in the second semester of their first year in college.

'It helps bring the future back to the industry. We got to support young kids and then they come back to the community, either to farms or just working in the ag industry,” he said.

Smith said students do not necessarily have to be working toward a career in the industry to qualify for the scholarship but there is a preference toward those going into agriculture.

'There's so many options for ag jobs. Some may come back and farm with dad or they work in the industry or become a vet - it can be anything,” Smith said.

The association is also working on promoting the beef industry and debunking misconceptions about cattle. This has included putting out ads and taking part in engagements to educate the general public as well.

Smith said the idea was kicked off after the Green New Deal, which was a large topic of discussion throughout 2019 'painted a bad picture about how the beef industry contributes to climate change.” Smith said he felt the cattle industry was unfairly blamed for the production of methane and its role in worsening climate change.

'It was also the time the Impossible Burger was coming out and it got people fired up. It was listed as a healthier option but it doesn't seem that way when you really look at calorie intake. It was misleading,” Smith said. Other topics the group has covered has included talking about the different cuts of beef and how to prepare them as well as the various sectors of the industry.

Looking forward, the association president said the group is looking forward to the county fair and getting to be involved with grilling and showing kids who attend the livestock.

'This COVID thing has everything on halt but I'm hoping we get over it a little quicker and we get to have our county fairs so kids can enjoy that,” he said.