Arkansas Backstories

Heifer International

By Joe David Rice

Contrary to what one might expect, Heifer International is not a lobbying association for cattle ranchers. It’s an amazing nonprofit organization, based in Arkansas, with a worldwide constituency. Describing its work in 750 words isn’t easy, but here goes.

Originally known as Heifer Project International, it was founded in 1944 by Dan West, a visionary Indiana farmer and conscientious objector during World War I. In 1936, he went to Europe and served as a relief worker during the Spanish Civil War. After his experience of distributing daily rations of milk to displaced children, West returned to the states with an innovative philosophy – “Give them a cow, not a cup” – which led to the formation of Heifers for Relief. Its first shipment delivered 17 heifers from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico with later donations going to regions of Asia and Europe ravaged by World War II. A 1949 gift of dairy cattle to 25 impoverished Arkansas families in Woodruff and Jefferson counties was the first U.S. project.

Incorporated as Heifer Project in 1953, the organization soon added countries in South America and Africa to its reach and expanded programs to include pigs, chickens, goats and other livestock – always with the philosophy of “passing on the gift.” Recipient families are trained to nurture their animals and to eventually become self-sufficient as they sell excess milk, eggs, honey, cheese and other products locally. They’re also required to share the female offspring of their animals with neighbors who, in turn, will do the same – and the process continues. Thus, an initial gift multiples well beyond the initial donation.

In 1971, the group took a big step, establishing Heifer Ranch on a tract of nearly 1,200 acres of farmland west of Little Rock, where animals were bred, raised, and held for shipment. Heifer Project moved its administrative headquarters to Little Rock soon after and, in 1973, became Heifer Project International.

Shifting its strategy in the early 1990s, the organization began supplying local or regional animals rather than making international shipments. Heifer Ranch also evolved and now serves as an educational center where nearly 30,000 guests a year are exposed to sustainable approaches to global poverty, hunger, and environmental issues. Visitor opportunities available at the ranch range from two-hour tours of organic gardens, livestock areas and global village sites to multi-day visits, where guests can participate in team-building exercises, gain valuable third-world living experiences and even assist as volunteers during lambing season.

Heifer International – as it’s now known – has provided honeybees, chicks, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas, cattle, water buffalo and other appropriate livestock to families in over 125 countries across the planet. It’s also established projects in 29 of the 50 states. Since inception, Heifer International has assisted millions of struggling families develop hope, dignity and self-reliance.

In 2003, Forbes recognized Heifer International as one of the magazine’s top 10 charities. The Conrad Hilton Foundation presented a $1 million award to Heifer in 2004 for its efforts to defeat hunger and develop self-sustaining communities. In 2008, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave Heifer a four-year $42.8 million grant to help nearly 180,000 small-scale farmers in East Africa establish a cooperative dairy industry, complete with collection hubs and chilling plants. Gates also personally supports Heifer. For a Secret Santa gift during the Christmas 2013 holidays, he sent a toy stuffed cow along with this note to his match:

To Rachel,

My Secret Santa present to you is a cow! Don’t worry – you will not have to build a barn. This cow will be given to a family in need, in your name, through Heifer International. It will provide them with income and dairy products, and it will help them help themselves.

Happy Holidays, Bill Gates

Heifer’s history of good work has led to dozens of celebrity endorsements, ranging from Barbara Bush to Bill Clinton, Diane Lane to Stephen King, Walter Cronkite to Oprah Winfrey. More importantly, though, Heifer generally receives high marks by charity evaluators for both performance and accountability.

A great place to learn more about Heifer and the fine work of its international team is at the LEED-certified administration building next door to the Clinton Presidential Center in downtown Little Rock. Then examine the fascinating collection of interactive exhibits at the attached Murphy Kellar Education Center. Watching eager school kids develop an appreciation for the challenges of a sustainable future is a rewarding way to spend a couple of hours.