Central Texas – USDA MPPTA Client Story
In Central Texas, six established beef ranchers with diverse backgrounds have joined forces to create something extraordinary. These visionary ranchers, each tending to their family's properties and operating small working ranches, are embarking on a new journey together—a cooperative that aims to strengthen their positions in the industry.
Significant Barriers
For these historically marginalized African-American ranchers, the road to growth hasn't been without obstacles. One significant barrier has been the loss, over time, of generational African-American-owned ranches within their community. Fortunately, with the formation of AgriUnity-TX Cooperative, they see an opportunity to reverse this by creating a community of strategic support for African-American ranchers seeking to preserve and fortify their lands to secure lasting family legacies. As a cooperative, their vision is to transform their ranches into strongly profitable enterprises, where land becomes a source of income, not a burden for future generations.
The leads for each of the dedicated founding AgriUnity-TX families are Timothy Bonds (Gonzales County), Jacqueline Figg (Lavaca County), Pamela Hodge, (Guadalupe County), Kelvin Kirby (Waller County), Brandon Smith (Bastrop County), and Renee Harris (Guadalupe County). Their breath of ranching experience ranges from multi-generational to ‘new’ rancher. Their business experience also ranges widely, from those having established LLCs (e.g., JC Ranch, LLC operated by the Figg family) to those whose ranching income are accounted as personal income. This dedicated group share their expertises and volunteer sweat equity to realized their goal to formalize the cooperative by the end of 2023.
An Unexpected Side Effect
Beyond the strategic goals of building a robust structure and establishing an official coop, an unexpected and heartening side effect has emerged—the deep bonds of friendship that have flourished among these like-minded ranchers. Their shared experiences have brought them closer, creating a supportive network where growth, camaraderie, and fun go hand in hand.
“Seeing people like us will hopefully encourage others, give other ranchers an opportunity to join us, and share the knowledge that there will be accessible great quality beef available in their community” -Pamela Hodge
The road to their dream of a thriving cooperative has been paved with the invaluable support of several groups. USDA/Meat and Poultry Processing Technical Assistance (MPPTA) program, in partnership with Flower Hill Institute is an invaluable Technical Assistance (TA) partner. They provide industry expertise, knowledge of USDA grant opportunities, support towards a feasibility study regarding market opportunities and meat processing systems, and creating genetically uniform beef. The MPPTA program has played a pivotal role in instilling industry knowledge and confidence among the ranchers. As to formalizing as a cooperative, AgriUnity-TX accounts the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) as their guiding North star in the process to formalize the AgriUnity-TX Cooperative. AgriUnity-TX also credits their success in part to the strong support received from the National Cooperative Business Association, Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and AgriUnity-GA as they work to finalize a feasibility assessment for their enterprise.
Overcoming Challenges
As a minority group, overcoming distrust in institutional assistance can be challenging, making the on-the-ground guidance from the MPPTA program and their other supporting partners even more crucial in exploring growth possibilities. With informative on-site visits and exposure to various processing facilities, the group is now better prepared to apply for upcoming grants and carve their path forward.
“USDA MPPTA is helping folks like us to make sure that we are maximizing our opportunities and have access to information that might otherwise be challenging for us to access.” -Pamela Hodge
What is the Vision?
Looking ahead, the vision for AgriUnity-TX Cooperative is to move its members beyond just selling “on the hoof” and to become full-service producers in the meat processing industry. To achieve this, they plan to accomplish significant milestones, some include truckload sales, direct-to-consumer transactions, grocery store contracts, and establishing their own processing facilities. Beyond their individual aspirations, this passionate group is determined to share their knowledge and growing expertise. To grow their cooperative, they are looking to inspire other African-American-owned ranchers to join them in building family legacies by flourishing in the independent meat industry.
“It definitely takes a tribe to get through this and we have a great tribe. I believe in our possibilities in this group, and I would love for other people to realize that they can connect themselves and accomplish their dream.” -Jacqueline Figg
AgriUnity-TX Cooperative stands as a symbol of resilience, unity, and the relentless pursuit of a better future—a future where generational legacies are sustained and empowered for years to come. #AgriUnity-TX #African-American Ranchers #SustainableLegacy #CommunityStrength #MPPTAProgram
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Please note: The Meat and Poultry Processing Technical Assistance (MPPTA) Program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The MPPTA Project Coordinators do not offer or provide direct contractor services or financial capital, grant writing, or project management services, nor does the voluntary use of MPPTA guarantee the success of a grant application or the grant-funded project