Gauck's Meats: Hometown freshness with a healthier option

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DECATUR COUNTY – Kimmee and Steve Gauck of Gauck’s Meats have created their own version of farming, finding a niche and working to prosper in the county they call home.

They met through mutual friends when they were attending Purdue University. Steve was a Decatur County native studying agricultural economics and Kimmee, originally from Putnam County, was studying agricultural education.

Living in Crawfordsville for 5 years after wedding, Steve worked in the agricultural industry and Kimmee was the ag teacher at Southmont High School. They moved to Greensburg in the summer of 2004 and started their family.

Their children, 21 year-old Chris and 19 year-old Addie, are following in the footsteps of their parents. In the North Decatur school district, both were 10-year 4-H members before attending Purdue University. Chris is a senior studying agricultural business and Addie is a sophomore studying agriculture systems management.

Both children were very young when they were introduced to farming. Chris raised meat chickens and Addie worked with hogs. When Chris left for Purdue in 2022 Addie purchased her brother’s meat chicken business.

Now that both children are in their college careers, Steve and Kimmee are left to raise the chickens, the cattle and the hogs on their 20 acre farm near New Point. Steve works full-time off the farm as a Regional Agronomy Manager for Beck’s Hybrids.

Needless to say, even with the kids off to school Steve and Kimmee stay busy.

Gauck’s Meats started when the children became older. It was an opportunity for Kimmee to contribute financially, and the business has grown exponentially since then.

At first, the business sold whole or half hogs to family and a few friends.

In 2009, Gauck’s Meats set off on its first original venture at the Greensburg Farmer’s Market. Originally only dealing in pork, the Farmer’s Market gave them an opportunity to market a few beef products as well.

When Chris began raising meat chickens in 4-H, chicken was added to the list of products they offered their Market customers.

With 16 years at Market, the customer base grew and Kimmee began to notice certain topics of conversation while tending to the booth.

“It’s very important for consumers to know their farmers,” she said. “We have a lot of good conversations with the people who come through about agriculture. Even though Decatur County is very heavily ag, a lot of people don’t understand agriculture.”

It’s given her the opportunity to teach them a little bit about the importance of farming, and how important it is for a community to support their farmers.

“The thing I usually explain the most is the importance of making sure your animals are comfortable and have everything they need. To make any kind of profit from a meat business, you have to take care of your animals,” she said.

Gauck’s beef is grass fed and finished. At no time does their beef receive grain. They are fed grass from “birth to butcher,” as Gauck puts it.

When putting together their plans for a business, the Gaucks decided to give their customers a healthier option when buying meat for their families.

Grass-fed beef is typically richer in omega-3 fatty acids and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), both of which are linked to various health benefits like improved heart health and reduced risk of certain cancers.

Grass-fed beef also contains higher levels of vitamins A and E, as well as beta-carotene and other antioxidants, which can contribute to overall health and well-being.

Due to differences in feed, grass-fed beef tends to have a lower overall fat content and fewer calories than grain-fed beef as well.

Studies also show that grass-fed and finished beef is better for the ecology as well.

Grass-fed beef production can be part of a regenerative agriculture system, which aims to improve soil health and biodiversity by using grazing practices.

While some studies suggest that grass-fed beef production can have a lower carbon footprint due to carbon sequestration in pastures, other studies have found that, when considering land use, grass-fed systems can be more carbon-intensive than grain-fed.

Grass-fed cattle are typically raised on pasture, which can offer them a more natural and comfortable living environment compared to feedlots where grain-fed cattle are often raised.

Grass-fed cattle may also have a stronger immune system due to a healthier gut pH, which can reduce the need for antibiotics.

The Gaucks have a farm store for their customers and use their Facebook page to market their products. Though the Farmers’ Market started out as their most profitable outlet, now they do as much business through the farm store.

A new product Kimmee is experimenting with is tallow body products, and she said she’s having some luck with it.

“I got into this because the kids told me it’s a really hot thing right now, so I tried it,” Kimmee said.

Using beef tallow, Kimmee has created her own line of body and face moisturizers. Tallow can be used for cooking purposes, but Kimmee doesn’t want to go that route yet. By adding essential oils and the rendered tallow created on her farm, she’s had surprising luck.

“It’s keeping me busy, along with the livestock,” Kimmee said with a laugh.

When asked how she gets everything done during her very busy days, she responded with another laugh and said, “I don’t! I just put out the immediate fires first, and go from there!”

Gauck’s Meats offer their customers several protein options, all grass and pasture fed. Either at her farm store or at the Farmer’s Market, the Gaucks have fresh pork and beef as well as pasture chicken, parts or whole, and fresh brown eggs.

“We have all of your protein needs!” Kimmee said.

Gauck’s Meats can be found from 2 to 6 p.m. every Friday at the Farmer’s Market on the south side of the Decatur County Courthouse, or contact Kimmee Gauck through the Gauck’s Meats Facebook page.

For customers wishing to shop the Gauck’s Meats store, call 812-614-1223 for directions and store hours.