Star Brand Beef Expands
☆ May 28, 2014
Star Brand Beef is back for a third year, and exciting things are happening! This summer, I will be delivering both West and East, and I have another rancher on board supplying beef. This is a big leap forward.
Honestly, after losing Frisco, it was really hard for me to get back into “work mode.” I spent most of February and March living at the barn caring for him, and much of April in bed mourning him. I didn’t feel I had the drive to organize and coordinate sales and delivery of not only my beef, but an enthusiastic neighboring rancher’s as well. But thinking about the current meat industry (you know I despise it) and my desire to keep these steers away from feedlots and commercial packers ignited some inner reserve. And you did, too: your support of Star Brand Beef for the past two years and your desire for healthy, humanely-raised beef gave me the mental push I needed.
MINI BEEF: I have another local rancher on board. I’ve know him for years; I taught his daughter in my classes when I subbed at the school, and Mike and I buy hay from him each year. He primarily raises sheep, but has a small herd of cows – quite literally! They are mini black Angus, and are about half the size of my steers. This makes it easier for him to raise among his sheep (they eat less grass and hay than my full-sized steers) and is a boon for you, as customers: a quarter mini-beef is just over half the size of a quarter of my beef. Perfect for individuals who eat meat less frequently or those with less freezer space.
Over the past two years, I have shared with him the standards and practices that both you and I expect: no GMO feed, humane treatment, and open pasture for his cattle. He has the means and the temperament to comply with these terms. What excites me, about bringing him on board and offering his beef to you, is that this is the next essential step in shifting the industry. He saw the success I’ve had in bucking the traditional system, and already held the belief that this new method is better for the animals, the environment, the rancher, and the customer. As others in our community see him making this shift (a local! a man born into the Wyoming ranching life!), I know they will begin to consider their place on this road, as well. You, out there, have paved the way for us out here, through your support of individual farmers and ranchers over the industrial model of Big Ag and your respect for the lives of these animals. And I thank you.
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35 Responses to “Star Brand Beef Expands”
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May 28th, 2014 @ 6:13 am
Thank you Shreve, for doing this. If ever you’re able to ship to Canada, I’m so in.
May 28th, 2014 @ 7:10 am
I don’t even live in the US and still your success in getting someone else on board your endeavor is lifting my heart & spirits. You truly are an inspiration for what we can do if we set our minds & hearts to it, despite the often devastating setbacks. Thank you for soldiering on and making your dreams come true.
May 28th, 2014 @ 7:44 am
I hope you can open every ranchers eyes and show them that humanity and compassion belong in the industry and they can still have a bottom line!
Next how do we stop them from killing all the coyotes and wolves?
I think what you are accomplishing is great!
May 28th, 2014 @ 7:51 am
Cannot wait until you can ship to the Atlanta area! So glad for you Shreve and all that you are doing with the beef industry.
May 28th, 2014 @ 7:52 am
Paso robles! Our neighbor inland from Cambria?
Who is ordering g there! Are they willing to sell the beef in smaller qty for those of us who have limited storage, ?
I will be very interested to contact them.thank you.
Marlene from Ca,bria
May 28th, 2014 @ 8:01 am
A bit closer East and we are in! Something in Massachusetts would be great
May 28th, 2014 @ 8:31 am
You can talk to people who are set in their ways until you are blue in the face but if you SHOW them a better way you’ve a better chance of convincing them. Congrats Shreve, so happy to hear this news and I hope it continues to spread. Plant a seed and let it spread.
May 28th, 2014 @ 8:40 am
We are definitely considering if we can purchase this year! We both believe in voting with our feet, so to speak, and if we get some delicious steaks in the process? That’s a good deal!
May 28th, 2014 @ 9:09 am
This is so exciting. I’m hoping I will be able to hook up for a split to try your beef.
Congrats for taking on another rancher. Hopefully this will snowball for you. Every year I eat less & less meat, out of guilt/disgust for the industry. Keep up the good work!!
May 28th, 2014 @ 9:30 am
What incredible amazing important work you’re doing. Thank you.
May 28th, 2014 @ 10:04 am
ohhh let me get on this Shreve! Maybe I can do the New Mexico delivery now with one friend since we couldn’t find a third and she and I are both single..
May 28th, 2014 @ 11:09 am
So glad you’re expanding, and participating in the first year was fantastic. Hoping you come back up to the Northwest at some point…if I didn’t already have plans during your delivery time I’d come meet in CA, but alas, this year it’s not to be. Will keep my eye on next year!
May 28th, 2014 @ 12:05 pm
Wow! Mini Angus AND coming East!
Philadelphia is a bit too far for me, but if anyone in the NYC metro area
1) is interested in splitting a mini-quarter,
2) can pick up in Philadelphia, and
3) can meet me somewhere along the NJ Turnpike to hand off my share,
please point me in their direction.
Otherwise, I’ll just wait until next year and hope for a delivery point a bit closer to home.
Shreve, I’m so happy you are able to expand and to bring another rancher on board. Even if I end up not being able to order this year, I’m really glad for the others who will get to enjoy your/your neighbor’s beef, and I look forward to eventually being able to enjoy it, too.
Congratulations, and happy hugs to all,
Theresa
May 28th, 2014 @ 12:10 pm
Congrats Shreve you are truly an inspiration. And ditto to Erynn’s comment: if you ever ship to Canada, I am in as well!
May 28th, 2014 @ 12:47 pm
Shreve, You are an absolute inspiration to me. I am vegan because I feel better without meat in my diet. Even as a child I did not like meat including fish and chicken. When I was growing up I ate white meat. I did not like dark meat. As an adult, I stopped eating meat not because I am against those who eat meat but because I feel better. I am, however, totally against the inhumane ways of today’s meat industry and the horrible way animals are treated. I feel that you are a true animal lover and your ways are the right ways. I very much admire the way you raise your cows and the way you treat them as well as the way you market your meat. I stand behind you all the way and feel that you are a great human being. More power to you and all you do!
May 28th, 2014 @ 2:58 pm
Awesome that you’ll be able to make it East this year too!!!! Still hoping that one day you’ll be able to make it to NH… :) We are so fortunate to buy our beef local from Star Lake Farm…I think I mentioned them a few years back and how cool it is that the names are so similar…they raise Highland Cattle and Kirk has always called them Hippie Cows :) hope your travels are safe and prosperous!
May 28th, 2014 @ 5:58 pm
That is excellent news!!!! I have been worried about you but knew you needed time. If you ever add Texas to your list, I will take a side or mini-moo!!!!! Just two of us, but ny parents might split with me
May 28th, 2014 @ 8:01 pm
So excited for you! I hope next year there will be a delivery to the south….like Atlanta.
May 28th, 2014 @ 8:10 pm
Congratulations on your 3rd year! Here’s hoping you’ll get someone to deliver to FL. Until then I’m thrilled to send everyone I know your way. So glad you were able to channel your energies from the loss of Frisco. He will always be with you in spirit.
May 28th, 2014 @ 9:55 pm
This is awesome! I hope more ranchers get on board! In the meantime, I’ll patiently and eagerly wait until you’ll have a delivery in my area (Portland, OR) so I can order some of your beef, which I have heard so many great things about!
May 29th, 2014 @ 2:18 am
I am so happy to hear that your business is doing well! I wish I still lived in the U.S. so that I could join the bandwagon.
Here’s to many more successful years to come!
May 29th, 2014 @ 6:37 am
Congratulations, Shreve! Now if you could just route some of that beef through Minneapolis…. Please? Next year?
May 29th, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
Another vote for Minneapolis!
Also, do you use a standard slaughterhouse for processing? Honestly I worry about the suffering that is reported to go on there and during the transport.
Thank you.
May 30th, 2014 @ 2:28 pm
That’s wonderful Shreve, congratulations!!
Any plans for Boise, ID or close?
May 30th, 2014 @ 10:18 pm
You are a trailblazer, Shreve. I really respect what you do. I’m so sorry about Frisco. He was so lucky to have you in his life.
I hope this brings you some cheer.
22 Adorable Photos of Wild Foxes (rescues)…
http://www.reshareworthy.com/sydney-fox-rescue-transforms-foxes-into-pets/#HrzkPkKMO3zw5YO7.99
They remind me of baby Charlie. Especially the ears!
May 31st, 2014 @ 5:48 am
Kristen ~ No… And you are right, the big commercial slaughterhouses are terrible places for an animal to spend their last hours. I use a small, independent processor that is located about 20 miles from my house. It’s owned and run by a woman for whom I have I massive respect, and she has a team of 5 people working for her. It’s very small, and I’m with my steers till the very end.
May 31st, 2014 @ 8:59 am
Vote for Atlanta here too. I’m four hours west of Atlanta but would gladly drive over to pick up yummy beef. Thanks for what you’re doing Shreve.
May 31st, 2014 @ 8:41 pm
I am a vegetarian, but I do appreciate your efforts to make this a more humane world for the animals. Thank you.
May 31st, 2014 @ 10:46 pm
“(a local! a man born into the Wyoming ranching life!)You, out there, have paved the way for us out here”
Shreve, it’s YOU out there that has changed the way that the locals are beginning to want to market their beef. You are a trail blazer much the same as the forward thinking pioneers that THAT local man’s ancestors were. Good on ya, girl!!!
June 1st, 2014 @ 2:06 pm
What you are doing is the beauty of leading by example.
As for Canada, my friend Rosemary raises organic beef, lamb and yaks (small Tibetan cattle). She is an artist and a farmer. You can check her out at: http://lanarklocalflavour.ca/users/tiraislin-farm
Little by little, women like you and Rosemary can change the world.
June 2nd, 2014 @ 6:53 am
Congrats!! :D
June 3rd, 2014 @ 8:43 am
Shreve, I ditto the request for a delivery in the Atlanta area, or at least somewhere closer than DC, in the Southeast.
June 3rd, 2014 @ 10:21 am
That’s fantastic! Been following your writing for years and now I live in Wyoming myself. I’m staying and working on a ranch in Powell that also raises grass fed and finished beef– run by a Wyoming ranch-born farmer. Change is happening!
June 5th, 2014 @ 7:30 am
I hear you, Atlanta! Will work on it for next year…. fingers crossed :)
June 5th, 2014 @ 2:59 pm
Shreve – thank you so much for taking them time to answer my question about slaughter. I hope that perhaps next year Minneapolis will be on your route. I would be pleased to buy from you.