Maucks Meats Continues to Grow

You could say it all started in 2021, when Trey and Kayla Mauck were raising one bottle calf to provide meat just for themselves. The next year, the couple decided to raise a few more calves to sell quarters, halves and whole beef.

But that would be jumping ahead, because the couple’s history in farming started long before 2021.

“We both grew up in farming families,” Trey says. “I help with the family farms both in Tipton and Frankton, and my wife, Kayla, was raised in Kempton on the family farm. While at some point both farms had livestock, the farms are mainly corn and soybean operations. We have both been blessed to have participated in 4-H and FFA growing up.”

The Maucks’ passion for livestock continued to grow over the years and they eventually realized that while marketing their meats, there was a need in the community for locally grown meat in smaller portions.

“We realized in today’s economy it is hard for people to purchase that quantity of meat at one time and have a place to store it,” Trey says. “By providing smaller boxes of meat and individual cuts, we can provide to more families locally.”

So, the Mauck family took to their biggest challenge yet – starting Maucks Meats and building everything from scratch. A pole barn was built in 2023, and then came the addition of a storefront and office space for their existing welding and powder-coating business. On top of that, they had to build more pasture for the cattle.

“We’ve tried to do a lot of the work ourselves, which can definitely be challenging and stressful,” Kayla says. “While it’s only Trey and I working the storefront, we have had so much help from friends and family. From doing the drywall to cleaning the windows, we are blessed with some great family and friends.”

The family ties run deep on the business side. Trey’s brother, Chad Mauck, and his fiancée, Janelle Mitzner, have a successful show-pig operation. Maucks Meats is able to source all of their pigs from Chad and Janelle’s farm.

So, with the support of friends and family, Maucks Meats held their grand opening on May 3, and currently offers individual cuts of beef, pork and goat in stock in their freezer. Eventually they will offer a monthly subscription for their meat boxes.

“Our rib eyes and pork chops have definitely been our top sellers,” Kayla says. “When we offer a subscription box, you’ll be able to choose from a beef box, pork box or a mix of both.”

Each month subscribers will receive a variety of cuts, depending on the season. While Maucks Meats doesn’t currently deliver, it may be an option in the future. The shop will offer different deals for holidays and weekly specials, which will be posted on their Facebook page. The store will offer more than just meats as well.

“Kayla has grown and sold pumpkins and gourds since 2009, so we will continue to have our self-serve stand in the fall,” Trey says. “We also have farm-fresh eggs in our store. She has started making her own goat-milk soap from her goats.”

Kayla has been raising boer goats since 2013, mainly for show purposes. Opening the store has allowed her a place to market what the breed was truly raised for, and the health benefits that come with eating goat.

“The most rewarding part of opening Maucks Meats is being able to provide quality local meat to our community,” Trey says. “I’m most proud that everything we have in the freezer is born and raised in Tipton county. In the future, if we are unable to keep up with demand, we would like to keep our purchases of livestock for our store in Tipton County, or from farmers we know surrounding us. It’s important to us to support small family farms.”

In the future the couple hopes to continue growing their business by expanding the days the store is open, and helping Maucks Meats become an integral part of the Tipton community – because for Trey and Kayla, they’ve never seen themselves living anywhere else.

“We are born and raised here and love supporting Tipton,” Kayla says.

Maucks Meats is located at 4756 West State Road 28 in Tipton. You can follow the store on Facebook for updates.