For many who attend the Indiana State Fair consuming one of the Indiana Beef Cattle Association’s rib-eye steaks is a priority. The state cattlemen and women are back this year doing a brisk business, and one of the volunteers, Jim Floyd from Greene County enjoys making the trip to help out in the tent.
“We’ve had really nice crowds, and it is very enjoyable to come up. You meet a lot of people and it’s very nice to hear the compliments they have towards our stand.”
He told HAT of one customer who has made it a decades long tradition to stop by the beef producers tent at the fair.
“On lady came by, and it makes you feel good, she said I’ve been here for 30 years and I always make it a point to come by and get a rib-eye sandwich. And she said this year they’re just as good.”
Beef brats and beef hotdogs are also on the menu, and Floyd says with the hotdogs they’re “trying to lean towards the kids a little bit with crayons and a coloring book if you get the kids meal.”
And did this Indiana cattle farmer taste test the rib-eye to ensure quality?
“Oh yes, definitely! You always got to sample your merchandise,” he said.
IBCA operates two tents at the fair, and Floyd told HAT the state fair is the major fundraiser each year for the association.