SOMEONE ’ S TREASURE
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In 2020 , a dedicated board of volunteers was formed , and the Producer Partnership was founded as a nonprofit that processes livestock to donate to local schools and food banks . In the beginning , they were able to push cattle through local meat processing facilities since the state was at a standstill trying to wrestle with COVID . Then , they experienced what the rest of the country did — they couldn ’ t find processors with availability . Pierson was hauling cattle across state lines , as far as North Dakota , just to get them harvested .
For the board , the logical solution was to develop their own processing plant . And they wanted flexibility with it . So rather than a traditional plant , they built a modular facility on Pierson ’ s family operation , Highland Livestock . With the modular structure , they left the door open for easier expansion or to move the facility if things didn ’ t work out as planned . Luckily , expansion won out .
To date , the Producer Partnership has donated more than 200,000 lbs of meat , and the United States Department of Agriculture estimates a pound of meat can provide four meals , meaning they ’ ve provided meat for 800,000 meals to Montanans so far .
Partnership isn ’ t just a buzz word they use . They have supportive partners like the Montana Food Bank Network ( MFBN ), Montana Beef Council and Montana Pork Producers Council . In addition , through donations from private donors and large foundations , the Producer Partnership can pay the cost to process the animals , but they are moving toward being self-sustainable , without relying on donations for funding . By developing other projects , they are working to offset the cost of processing .
Inside the Producer Partnership processing facility .
“ We are continually raising money , not just for operating but for expanding too ,” he said . “ We are putting the finishing touches on our composting facility , so we can compost all the offal onsite and sell it as a fertilizer . We also do custom cutting about 25 % of the time right now .”
While most donations and custom orders are beef , they also process swine , goats and sheep . And although there are times when the flow of livestock is heavier , there has never been a season where it has dried up .
As a producer in the industry with roots in Montana dating back to the 1800s , Pierson feels a commitment to Montana , and he believes it is important for consumers to see agriculturalists invest in their communities . Part of the way he builds trust with Montanans is by being transparent in the Producer Partnership ’ s facility and the way the livestock are raised .
“ Lots of people have a negative view of agriculture right now , so being able to help the community and show people that agriculturalists are some of the best people on the planet is huge ,” Pierson said . “ All of our products are labeled with the Producer Partnership ’ s logo , and on our website , you can find a list of everyone who has donated and helped us . There is a lot of connectivity .”
One of their partners , the Montana Food Bank Network , has found a symbiotic relationship with the organization . Brent Weisgram , vice president and chief operating officer of MFBN , said the partnership “ just made sense .” MFBN already had the logistics in place to deliver food to various food banks and programs around the state , and the Producer Partnership came to them with ample supplies of beef already processed and packaged . With the money they save not purchasing protein , they can allocate that to other resources to benefit Montanans further .
“ Matt makes it very simple for the producers , too . They want to help their communities , but many of them don ’ t know how or don ’ t have the resources to do it . Matt uncomplicated it . He has different drop-off locations around the state and will even drive to pick up people ’ s livestock ,” Weisgram said .
Weisgram , with a family history in restaurants and ranching himself , knows that high-quality protein is critical for people ’ s health and nutrition , and buying beef in the grocery store adds up quickly . The collaboration between MFBN and the Producer Partnership prevented Pierson from having to reinvent the wheel to distribute the product all across Montana .
“ Matt and I have an amazing relationship . After the pandemic , there were people in situations they never thought they ’ d experience who needed to put food on their tables , and Matt made an effort to find a solution ,” Weisgram added .
While the Christmas “ season of giving ” is behind us , it lasts year-round for Pierson and the team at the Producer Partnership . They can spread joy , food security , and nutritious protein throughout Montana due to the generosity and commitment of livestock producers while promoting the longevity of the beef industry by showing consumers the care farmers and ranchers have for their neighbors ’ health and security .
If you ’ re interested in donating beef or want to learn more about the Producer Partnership , check out their website www . producerpartnership . com .
Source : 1 . https :// mfbn . org / hunger-in-montana /
7 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org