About the ACWA

American Chuck Wagon Association

Mission Statement – Revised 2018

The mission statement of the American Chuck Wagon Association is to preserve the heritage of the Chuck Wagon.

This will be accomplished by the following Core Values:

• Integrity.
• Education on historically correct aspects of Chuck Wagons and its importance to the beef cattle industry.
• Fair competitive events and the promotion of youth cook-offs.
• Fun for people passionate about chuck wagons.
• A desire to support our communities through various outreach and educational scholarships.
• Inspiring future generations to embrace the chuck wagon and western heritage.

ACWA 2026 Officers & Directors are listed on the HOME page.

2026 ACWA Committee Chairs:
Audit Committee, Sam Howell of Odessa, Texas
Award Committee, Jack Ramey of Mustang, Oklahoma
Historical Committee, Ronnie Sexton of Temple, Texas
Nominating Committee, Marcus Reed of Frost, Texas
Scholarship, Education and Youth Cook Off Committee, Brian Frankum of Axtell, Texas.

Lifetime Members

Jerry Baird, Pete Ballew, Diana-Rejba Barr, Corey Barr, Larry Barr, Mike Bibee, Wayne Calk, Kathy Christensen, Rick Christman, Glenn Cochran, Clint Combs, Calvin Daugherty, Monte Deckerd, Dorothy Douthit, Leland Fellows, David Gaunky, David Sneed, Eddie Gaw, Dale Grubelnik, John Gunn, Alan Haley, Doug Hansen, David Harkness, Sam Howell, Joe Jones, Kenneth Kickendahl, Gene Kotzur, Todd Limke, Walter Lowe, Patti Maness, Alan Means, K. Miller, Glenn Moreland, Brad Muske, Cody Muske, David Pabst, Jim Patrick, Marcus Reed, Maribeth Sexton, Ronnie Sexton, Cody Smith, John Spain, Bob Sparks, Nancy Sparks, Steve Sparks, Tresa Sparks, Jim Staley, Mark Stallings, Barbara Stavlo, Paul Stavlo, Lonnie Tegeler, Bill Thompson, Lisa Truesdall, Rick Verde, Vietnam Veterans of America/Jimmy Smith, Wayne Wienecke and Jane Williams.

For more information on how you can support the ACWA, click on the Membership Tab at the top of the home page.

ACWA Judged Events

Organizations and groups can host “gatherings” or ACWA “judged events”. For competition, chuck wagons are judged on specific criteria and cash prizes are usually awarded. For more information about how you can organize an event, go to the RESOURCES tab at the top of Home Page.

The categories are as follows:

Wagon and Camp
Overall Cooking
Overall Wagon and Cooking
Meat
Beans
Potatoes
Bread
Dessert

EDUCATION

The American Chuck Wagon Association knows our future is in our young people. We are invested in involving the youth to keep the history of the chuck wagon alive for future generations. We support educational events, youth competitions and provide scholarships.

Many ACWA members are willing to assist local school districts and charitable organizations with demonstrations, and talks about the chuck wagon and its history. If you are interested in hosting an educational event send an email request to acwa@chuckwagon.org. Include the date(s), time(s), school or other organization name and contact information. We will pass the information to our members in your area to find someone to work with you. If there are no members in your area, we will publicize your request on our Facebook page.

None of these could take place without the continued financial support of the ACWA members as well as donations, honorariums and memorials. If you are interested in donating in some way, you may send your contribution to ACWA, P O Box 626, Belton, TX 76513, and note YOUTH.

ACWA Scholarship, Education, Youth Cook Offs

For more information about hosting youth cook offs and scholarship opportunities, click on the YOUTH tab at the top of the Home Page.

How to contact ACWA

American Chuck Wagon Association
PO Box 626, Belton, Texas 76513
Email: acwa@chuckwagon.org
Phone: 940-532-1788
Maribeth Sexton, Administrative Assistant