The North and South Box Elder County Farm Bureaus recently partnered with Utah Farm Bureau’s Miracle of Agriculture Foundation to donate pork to their local community. Over 150 lbs. 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 donate 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. 

Clayton Beckstead of Miracle of Ag Foundation, Carey Hunsaker of the Tremonton Food Pantry, Sakia White of Utah Farm Bureau, and North Box Elder County FB President Jeff Kent.

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.” 

Andy Yeates, president of the South Box Elder County Farm Bureau, said helping their community is something their Farm Bureau feels strongly about and shared an experience he had volunteering at the Acts 6 Soup Kitchen.  

“I had an opportunity to serve at the Act 6 Soup Kitchen, and that night I really saw where the rubber meets the road,” he said. “I saw the real need that people have. It changed me and I’ll never be the same.” 

Clayton Beckstead, director of the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation, emphasized the growing demand for food assistance. 

Andy Yeates, President of the South Box Elder County Farm Bureau, visits with staff from the Box Elder Community Pantry in Brigham City.


“The numbers today tell us that the need is greater than it was during the pandemic,” Beckstead said. “Partnering with local Farm Bureaus and businesses helps us to distribute protein to food pantries and food banks. We are making a real difference for local families.” 

Beckstead also noted the uniqueness of their efforts.

“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.” 

In addition to the pork, both county Farm Bureaus made a cash donation to each organization. Both Kent and Yeates are hoping to make this an ongoing project.

“We’ve got a few ideas in mind, and we are looking forward to making this project even bigger and better in the future,” Kent said.