From the Foothills to the Highways: The Story of Natural State Jerky

Our story begins at the rugged foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, where our founder, Kevin Lipe, spent his life living in rhythm with the land. He fished the streams, hunted the woods, and ran cattle across the rolling hills of the Natural State. It was a lifestyle built on hard work, grit, and a deep respect for honest, quality food.

When Kevin was a young man, he started experimenting with preserving the meat from his hunts and his herds. Using wild venison and premium Arkansas beef, he spent years fine-tuning a signature marinade. He adjusted a spice here, balanced a flavor there, slowly perfecting a recipe over decades until it became something truly special.

Eventually, Kevin opened a large gas station right along Interstate 40, a bustling artery where travelers from all over the country cut through the heart of Arkansas. In the back of that store, Kevin made his jerky fresh every day. The savory aroma drifted through the aisles, captivating truck drivers, road-trippers, and locals alike. It didn’t take long for the store to become a mandatory pit stop for anyone craving a real taste of the Ozarks.

Realizing just how much people loved it, Kevin passed his closely guarded recipe down to his son, Nathan. In 2017, they joined forces to launch Natural State Jerky, keeping the focus entirely on that exact same time-tested marinade.

Today, we are proudly expanding, but we aren’t changing who we are. Natural State Jerky remains a dedicated, small-batch company. Instead of taking over massive grocery chains, we are intentionally growing state by state, introducing our recipe to craft markets where true quality, heritage, and genuine flavor are deeply appreciated.

What started as a personal passion in the Ozark foothills is now hitting the road, bringing an authentic taste of Arkansas to jerky lovers who know the difference between corporate snacks and real craft.

From our family to yours, this is real jerky, made the natural way.