The Winston County SelfHelp Cooperative continued its legacy of giving back to help others through its heifer program. The Mayberry Family of Shuqualak, MS, passed on two quality heifers to James Carter on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The Mayberry family received nine heifers through WCSHC’s Heifer Program in the fall of 2023. Chris said, “We are thankful to WCSHC for providing our children (Ivan & Zoe) with seed cattle to start their enterprise. Ivan and Zoe are students in the Noxubee County Public School system in Macon, MS. They take part in a variety of Agriculture programs, including 4-H. The Mayberry and Hickman families have a steep connection with owning cattle. Zoe and Ivan’s maternal Uncle, “Fatty Hickman,” is a Black Cowboy; therefore, he is providing this duo with guidance to produce a quality herd of animals.
The Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) received a treasured gift from Heifer International in 2001. This bequest has impacted and embedded hope in Winston County and the surrounding areas. WCSHC founding members, Mrs. Omerio Dotson and Mrs. Mary Hannah, have both transitioned. However, they searched for a mechanism to fortify the co-op mission and spur on membership growth. Omerio and Mary mounted an arduous pursuit over two years to find tangible opportunities for their co-op members. Along their enduring mission of searching, this remarkable pair connected with Roger Jones, who served as Heifer International, South-Central Project Leader. Roger extended an invitation for WCSHC ’s Team Leader, Frank Taylor, to participate in Heifer International’s regional partners meetings, conducted in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. This gateway permitted Frank to engage in dialogue with experienced heifer project leaders and organizers. This evolving period allowed WCSHC to gain familiarity and learn the schematics of how to build a successful heifer project from veteran mentors. After completing the probationary period, the Winston County Self Help Cooperative received a $74,500.00 grant from Heifer International to purchase animals and equipment. The co-op procured and distributed 40 bred heifers on August 8, 2001. WCSHC members selected eight families for the initial distribution of heifers. Each family received five bred heifers with a promise of returning the first five quality heifers to WCSHC. These heifers would be passed on to other waiting families to help start their cattle operations. According to records, WCSHC’s Heifer Project has produced thousands of animals over the past twenty-four years, which has contributed thousands of dollars to the local economy through the purchase of equipment, buying homes, paying ad valorem taxes, acquiring land, and the sale of animals. WCSHC membership will always be grateful for Mrs. Omerio Dotson and Mrs. Mary Hannah for their forward thinking to enhance life for rural Americans. They have now entered through heaven’s doors, but their impactful work is still with us today.
