Raising more than cattle the HSC Cattlemen’s Association

The Hot Spring County Cattlemen’s Association presents plenty of opportunity for education, improving the community and fun.

The association meets every third Tuesday at 7 p. m. in the 4- H building at the Malvern City Park. At each meeting is fellowship and food.

The group encourages people to consider becoming members even if they don’t own cattle.

“The industry needs to grow,” said Kay Casey, liason to the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. Casey highlighted the fact that as the population increases, and less people farm, there is an increased strain on the food supply.

Casey’s family won Arkansas Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year a few years ago for Hot Spring County. This year’s winner is the Riggan family with Grazin’ R Farms. Casey is also the executive vice president of the Arkansas State Cattlemen’s Board.

President of the HSC Cattlemen’s Association is John Michael Bearden and vice president is Dave Stritzinger.

Casey has passed down her love of livestock to her daughter, Kaylee, who has gone on to veterinary school at Mississippi State University. Kaylee is in her final year of the program and will return to Arkansas to practice.

Kaley is a longtime member of the association.

“God gives us the gift to take care of the animals,” Casey said. “We do it for our country.”

The local association hosts events throughout the year, such as the spring conference at Camp Couchdale. Attendees are given a free steak at the event, which is open to the public. The conference is for the 6th district of the Cattlemen’s Association, which encompasses Hot Spring, Clark, Garland, Grant, Jefferson and Saline counties.

The HSC Cattlemen’s Association is planning a “Beef Day” and steak cook- off, to be announced at a later date.

The association also hosts educational events and gives local scholarships every year.

According to Casey, the association would like to encourage more people to support the HSC Fair. The association supports the fair with breeding stock, financial backing and several other ways.

For more information about the HSC Cattlemen’s Association call Casey at 501- 337- 6286, or Stritzinger at 501- 337- 6642.

Special to the MDR The HSC Cattlemen’s Association hosts monthly events with food and fellowship and members such as Kaylee Casey (far right, bottom right photo) have gone on to become successful in the field.