4 minute read
Co-op Corner: Farm Fresh Beef
BY TIFFANY LESTER
What started with a cookout turned into a new business venture for Paul Thompson and his family.
“We had friends over for a cookout in the spring of 2021 and several commented on how good the meat was.” After explaining that it was beef from the Thompsons' farm, they had soon sold almost everything in their personal freezer. “We knew our beef was high-quality and now had proof of concept.”
Thompson grew up on a cow/calf operation and corn silage row crop farm just outside of Oneonta. In the 2000s, it was converted to stocker calves and the row crop to corn for grain production and soybeans.
After graduating from Auburn University, Paul began his career with Alabama Farmers Cooperative in January 2007 working at Taleecon Farmers Cooperative in Notasulga through what’s now called the Future Leaders Program. By that summer, he became manager of the Blount County Cooperative in Oneonta. Four years later, he took a role in the Crop Nutrients division of Agri-AFC in Decatur, and now Greenpoint Ag. His wife, Joy-Catheryn, currently works at Morgan Farmers Cooperative in Hartselle where their son Bryan has also been employed.
“We rely on the Co-op for all our agronomic needs, both product and application as well as feed. We believe AFC Feed produces some of the best feeds on the market,” Thompson said.
“For me, the Co-op represents great people with great purpose using our wonderful products to bless their families and those around them,” said Joy-Catheryn.
The couple actually met through their careers with the Co-op. “I worked as an Administrative Assistant position in Agri-AFC’s Seed Department for 10 wonderful years,” said Joy-Catheryn. “I was later promoted to the Product Manager of Seeds & Coatings where I was buying and selling seed to our Co-op stores all over the Southeast. One of my sweetest customers was Paul! That business relationship turned to a respected friendship as Paul taught me about the 'Co-op side' of things all while introducing this city girl to the first rule of his farm, 'SHUT THE GATE.' I was hooked when he let me name my first cow, #42 appropriately named Flo,” she laughed.
Thompson's Farm Fresh Beef officially opened up in May of 2021. Since then, Paul and Joy-Catheryn have spent the majority of their weekends selling meat. Their entire family plays a huge part in the business's success. Paul’s parents, Gary and Billie Sue Thompson, work on the farm daily and oversee the meat calves. Joy-Catheryn and their daughter, Adeline, and son Bryan all help in various aspects with sales, marketing, meat pick up, and extra hands around the farm.
“The farm is to be respected as it brings as many highs as it does lows. There are good years and bad but working alongside Paul in life and Thompson’s Farm Fresh beef are two of my proudest accomplishments,” Joy-Catheryn said.
The demand for farm fresh products is huge. It's a trend we hope sticks around! People want fresh, better-tasting, higher-quality agricultural products and they want to know how it’s produced and where it comes from. There’s also an incredible sense of pride knowing you are supporting a farmer in your area and in turn, supporting the local economy.
According to the USDA, in 2020, U.S. farms sold almost $10.7 billion of edible food commodities directly to consumer outlets and intermediary supply chains such as restaurant/grocery stores, regional distributors and local institutions.
In fact, almost 148,000 U.S. farms and ranches sold commodities directly to consumers.
“We believe buying local provides peace of mind. Our customers know their beef was born, raised, and processed in North Alabama. Many consumers are highly-focused on the quality of beef they provide to their families and comment to us routinely about the differences between farm direct vs store bought. A large percentage of our customer base is repeat business and it is gratifying getting to meet new people who enjoy our products,” Paul said.
