Owens Honored by Kosy Cattlemen
Published: Friday, February 14, 2025
The owner of Owens Farm Fresh Market in Leesburg shared the importance of transparency with the members of the Kosciusko County Cattlemen's Assn. at their 2025 annual meeting last Tuesday in Warsaw.
Mark Owens, his wife Christy, and their sons Austin and Jonathan, began the process of creating the market after they moved to Leesburg from New York to start a farm to table business five years ago.
After their business plan was not approved by Marshall County, Owens received approval for the market in Kosciusko County.
Owens reminded the club members that they should be transparent with their customers about the meat yield of animals.
"From live weight to kill floor, the meat goes down a third," Owens said. "From kill floor to cooler is another third, and from cooler to deboning is another third."
From a 1,500-pound animal, one can expect about 450 pounds of meat.
Customers should not be surprised, according to Owens, when they don't receive as much meat from the animal as they anticipated. Unfortunately, Owens explained that many customers have accused him of stealing their meat because of their failure to understand the butchering process.
Owens said that processors can aid the customers by offering the bones and fat of the animal as well as the meat. They can also assure customers correct weights by having certified true weight scales that are checked regularly. This will also aid processors in recognizing where they are losing profit. Ultimately, getting the best yield starts with breeding for the best yield and a robust knowledge of genetics.
Owens hopes a new educational cooperation with Purdue University to educate people on the butchering process will aid the next generation of cattle farmers. The course, which is set to launch within the next year, will allow Purdue agricultural students to tour Owens' facilities and see the kill floor on a local level, rather than with a large meat packer.
"They forget that we sell a lot of beef from home," Owens said in his address. "We want to help make it a better opportunity for you guys to sell your beef."
Owens Farm Fresh Market received the Cattlemen's Club Beef Supporter and Promoter award from the Kosciusko County Cattlemen's Club Assn. for their support of the club's efforts and providing ribeye for the 4-H food stand.
Club members Tammy and Ed Boggs also reported on their two trips to North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, to deliver 1,000 bales of donated hay to cattle farmers affected by Hurricane Helene.
The Boggses described the conditions they encountered including many inaccessible roads and farms under 35 inches of water. Ed Boggs said that, amidst the disaster, one of the farmers they assisted "praised God that He had worked in our hearts to help him."
Dr. Bruce Lamb, director of the Cattlemen's Assn., also read an email from the North Carolina Cattlemen's Assn. giving updates on relief efforts.
Damage to topsoil, water erosion, rerouted waterways and the financial burden of the disaster have weighed heavily upon agriculture and the farmers of the area. Restoration efforts have also been great including supply provision, hay transportation for cattle, fence building and collaborations with other organizations in and out of state to send support.
"This combined effort reflects the resilience of the western North Carolina agriculture community and underscores the need for continued support from state and national industry organizations," the letter read.
Two other farmers in North Carolina have expressed their need to receive hay donations. The $2,500 raised from the auction at the meeting will assist agricultural relief efforts in North Carolina.
Missy Gerber, manager of Tom Farms, received the Cattlemen of the Year award for her lifelong dedication to beef excellence and education. Gerber, a member of the beef community since birth, passed her knowledge of agriculture to her daughters and grandchildren, as well as many beef 4-H'ers.
"For her herd is far more than a business, it is a vitally needed avenue to invest in the next generation to give them the opportunity to grow in character, confidence and business acuity," Lamb said in his speech about Gerber.
"I don't feel worthy," Gerber said upon receiving the award with three generations of her family in attendance.
The Ribeye Award went to a long-time Cattlemen's Club member Frank Rhoades, a dedicated worker at the 4-H food stand at the Kosciusko County Fair since he was 10 years old—over 50 years ago. Lamb presented him with an engraved spatula in honor of his many early mornings spent prepping and cooking during the fair.
Born and bred winners included: heifers champion Bristol Walters, reserve champion Caleb Lechlitner, steers champion Cole Nelson and reserve champion Aiden Beer. The 4-H Consumer Beef Project was awarded to Hayden Lechlitner.
Club member Dave Crosby was elected to serve as director.
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