Building resilience and sustainability
HARRISON, ARK. – Natural State Beef was founded by Mike Fountain in Harrison, Arkansas, in 2020. The company was built in response to the global chaos caused by COVID-19. Families struggled to find meat in stores, and cattle producers couldn’t get their animals processed.
The Fountains set out to create a more resilient, transparent and locally driven beef supply chain that would ensure shelves stayed stocked, even in times of crisis. Katie Taylor, who now serves as the company’s communications director, plays a pivotal role in shaping and sharing the company’s mission.
“There is really a disconnect from farm to table,” she explained. “We kind of thought, ‘Well, let’s build a business that is here for the farmer while also providing families with quality, sustainable beef.’”
The Fountain family has been deeply rooted in Arkansas Beef Production for generations.
“I’m a fifth-generation Arkansas cattle producer,” Katie Taylor said with pride. “My dad [Mike Fountain] is a fourth-generation rancher, so it’s really just what we are passionate about.”
Natural State Beef exclusively produces ground beef, so it’s not the typical hamburger meat available from any store. The product is what Taylor proudly calls ‘whole cow ground beef.’
“We don’t sell steaks, roasts or tenderloins because all of those cuts are included in our grinds,” Taylor said. “It is a premium ground beef that tastes like steak because it literally has steak in it.”
Arkansas families are not the only ones interested in Natural State Beef. The quality ground beef has caught the attention of restaurants, schools and even the five-star Capital Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“If it’s going to be served to politicians and CEOs dining at the only five-star hotel in Arkansas, obviously it meets some pretty high expectations,” Taylor said, laughing.
Unlike many direct-market producers, Natural State Beef doesn’t grow the same calves from birth until slaughter or even weaning to slaughter. The Fountain’s source their beef from cattle obtained from one of 12 different Arkansas livestock auctions that service over 20,000 local farms and ranches.
“This seems to work best for us,” Taylor said. “Since we buy through the sale barn, there is a provable premium. Producers can see us coming in, paying more than everyone else and, in turn, creating a more competitive market.”
The Fountains’ operation is heavily centered around family. Mike is the founder and owner and Katie handles communications and sales; Her sister Jessica is the office manager;, and Landis, Mike’s son-in-law, manage logistics. Clell Deakins is vice president, and although he is not blood related to the Fountains, Taylor joked that he is about as close to family as one could get.
That family-oriented foundation is exactly what the state of Arkansas needs, Taylor said.
“Ninety-seven percent of cattle farms in Arkansas are family-owned and operated so we’re taking what we have as a state and making that accessible to the general public,” Taylor said.
Taylor said she believes that the diversity of their suppliers is the key to avoiding shortages like what was seen during the pandemic. Instead of buying each cow from the same feedlot or the same operation, the Fountains are buying from a variety of small producers across the state.
“When you source directly from lots of small producers, you can mitigate supply chain issues,” Taylor said. “That’s the real resilience that we’re all looking for, and that’s sustainability that we’re all looking for.”
Natural State Beef is committed to building a system that serves Arkansas first. Every piece of their supply chain is intentionally kept within the state –from the cattle they purchase and, the processing facilities used, all the way down to the boxes and labels used in packaging.
“If you buy beef from Natural State Beef, you can rest assured knowing your money is going directly into the blue jean pockets of dedicated Arkansas farmers and ranchers,” Taylor said.
Ensuring that every dollar spent supports local families and communities is central to Natural State Beef’s mission. That sense of purpose is what drives the Fountain family to continue working for local families.
Taylor said the creation of Natural State Beef has allowed her to continue being immersed in the beef production, but where she gets the most satisfaction is setting the stage for Arkansas producers and consumers to be connected.
“I have done every stage of cattle management, but when I can help an Arkansas farmer access these larger markets while building a resilient, sustainable supply chain, that’s where I get the most satisfaction,” Taylor said.
It’s not just about beef – it’s about strengthening the backbone of Arkansas. Natural State Beef can be ordered via their website or stocked on the shelves in Harps Food Stores.
