As food insecurity continues to affect many Utah families, the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation (MAF) is living up to its name by celebrating local agriculture and providing needed food to those in need in communities throughout Utah. The Millard County Farm Bureau recently collaborated with the foundation to donate one thousand pounds of beef and 500 lbs. of pork to the Central Utah Food Sharing in Delta.

Rural food pantries throughout Utah are often underserved or completely out of protein sources, and the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation is uniquely positioned to be able to help these rural communities.

Acey Jensen, right) (Miss Millard County) and Rylee Morris (Ag sterling scholar), left, making the donation.



“This project helped connect the generosity of our agricultural community with local families through the food bank,” said Erin Sorenson, President of the Millard County Farm Bureau. “It would not have been possible without the buyers in the ring, our local Farm Bureau board, the state Farm Bureau, the Millard County Junior Livestock Show, the local food bank, and many dedicated volunteers.”

What makes this donation especially meaningful is how it connected many elements of the food chain, from the raising of animals to processing and distribution. Youth recently showed animals at the Millard County Junior Livestock Show, with local buyers stepping up to reward the youth for their hard work and then donating the animals to the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation to get them processed, and donated back to the community.

“We wanted to recognize Hayley Martin, Jared Buhler and the Delta IFA Store, Millard County Farm Bureau, and Chad Droubay of Farm Bureau Financial Services for stepping up to buy these animals, and enabling us to donate them,” Sorenson said. “I am incredibly proud of this community and grateful for the way people come together to help one another. I didn’t grow up in Delta, but I chose to make my home here because the people in this community know how to take care of each other. Thank you to everyone who made this project possible.”

Members of the Millard County Farm Bureau, along with Acey Jensen (Miss Millard County) and Rylee Morris (Ag sterling scholar) helped make the donation to Gail Cason, Director of the Central Utah Food Sharing.

 

“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.”

 

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. 

The 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. Previously, the North and South Box Elder County Farm Bureaus, as well as Carbon & Emery County Farm Bureaus 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.” 

“One of the things I love most about Millard County is our agricultural community and the quality food we produce, from alfalfa and corn to beef, dairy products, honey, and more,” Sorenson said. “Agriculture plays an important role in our local economy, but it also plays an important role in caring for our neighbors. This is an example of that.”

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.