As food insecurity continues to affect many Utah families, the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation (MAF) is living up to its name by delivering hope, nourishment, and community through the generosity of Utah’s farmers and ranchers. Over the past few months, the foundation has expanded its reach by partnering with County Farm Bureaus to donate to pantries and individuals in need.

These efforts are part of a coordinated, statewide initiative to deliver hard-to-source protein to food pantries where the demand for meat often exceeds availability.

“Our Miracle of Agriculture Foundation continues to evolve and provide help to those in need, and especially to provide an excellent protein source to community pantries that have a harder time sourcing it,” said Clayton Beckstead, director of the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation. “We continue to work with partners throughout our state and accept donations so we can facilitate providing food to communities in need.”

 

North & South Box Elder Counties

The North and South Box Elder County Farm Bureaus partnered with the foundation to donate pork to their local community. Over 150 pounds of meat were donated between the Tremonton Food Bank, the Box Elder Community Food Pantry, and Acts 6 Soup Kitchen.  

Jeff Kent, president of the North Box Elder County Farm Bureau, described this as a full-circle moment for him, as the idea for the donation first took shape last summer. The two county Farm Bureaus came together to purchase a hog raised by local youth at the state fair and donated it to the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation to process and give to their local food pantries. 

“We are hoping to get them the protein they need, but we are also hoping it helps the kids realize that the animals they are raising for the fair are going to a good cause,” Kent said. 

Members of the South Box Elder County Farm Bureau, Act 6 Soup Kitchen, and Utah Farm Bureau staff making a food & financial donation last March in Brigham City.

Carey Hunsaker, Director of the Tremonton Food Pantry, said this was a welcome donation as their needs are increasing every month, and protein donations are rare.  

“It’s been years since we have had sausage here,” Hunsaker said. “This is going to be a real treat for our families, and they are going to be really excited.”  

Joleen Groberg, executive director of the Box Elder Community Pantry in Brigham City, agreed.  

“This donation will feed about 70 families,” Groberg explained. “That means quite a bit to families who are struggling to have meat at all right now. It’s just so expensive for them to put on the table.”

 

Carbon and Emery Counties 

Rural food pantries throughout Utah are often underserved or completely out of protein sources. In Eastern Utah, the Carbon and Emery County Farm Bureaus collaborated with the foundation to donate protein to local community food pantries in Price and Castle Dale.  

One thousand pounds of beef and lamb were donated to the Carbon Food Bank and Trinity Food Bank in Carbon County, while another 1,200 pounds were donated to the Emery County Food Pantry. 

Jennie Christensen (center) and Jaron Hansen (right) deliver food to the Carbon County Food Bank.

Tiffanie Howes, the Emery County Food Bank Coordinator, said the number of families they serve has been increasing as many are struggling with the rising cost of food.  

“We are extremely grateful to be recipients of the generosity of Utah Farm Bureau, along with the support of Emery County,” she said. “This wonderful donation of protein will serve the families in our county well and provide them with a better ability to have well-balanced and healthy meals.”

 

Cache County & Utah State University 

In Northern Utah, the foundation worked with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors to donate 1,000 pounds of protein to the Cache Community Food Pantry. An additional 1,000 pounds was donated to the Utah State University Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC). The need for nutritious, high-quality food is particularly strong on college campuses. According to the SNAC website, 62% of students on campus experience low or very low food security.

Utah Farm Bureau Board of Directors members are making a food donation to the USU Student Pantry.

SNAC Program Director Jonathon Walters said the donation of beef will go a long way toward helping students. 

“During peak times of the year, we serve nearly 1,000 students each week,” he said. “This kind of donation allows us to keep an important protein source in stock and ensure that students have access to nutritious food.”

 

Supporting Youth and Local Agriculture  

These kinds of donations don’t happen by chance—they’re made possible through the support of generous partners and fundraising efforts. One of the foundation’s most impactful fundraising tools is the annual Miracle of Agriculture Golf Tournament, which takes place every August. The tournament brings together local businesses, agriculture advocates, and community leaders in a shared effort to fight hunger. Proceeds from the tournament go directly toward processing donated meat and purchasing livestock. 

Another important source of protein donations comes from community partners and organizations participating in youth livestock auctions. These groups and individuals purchase animals raised by 4-H and FFA youth at county fairs and the Utah State Fair, then donate them to the foundation. From there, MAF covers the cost of processing the meat and coordinates its distribution to food pantries and families across the state. 

County Farm Bureaus are also leading the charge in this effort. Like the North and South Box Elder County Farm Bureaus, several have purchased an animal at the youth auctions and then worked with MAF to ensure the meat is donated within their communities. It’s a meaningful way to support local youth, local agriculture, and build stronger ties between producers and those they help feed. 

“I don’t know of any other organization that is doing what we are doing,” Beckstead said. “We are supporting the local youth who are raising the animals, supporting local agriculture, and getting protein to families who might have never been able to have it otherwise.” 

Please stay connected with the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation by following us on Facebook (@UFBFMiracleofAg) and Instagram (@MiracleofAg) for updates on donations, events, and community impact. To make a direct contribution, visit www.miracleofag.org/donate.