Meat Success

Grab our mEat-Commerce Essentials to start making money in your direct to consumer business today with $100 off the course with code: POD100

Snag Access Here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/meat-commerce-essentials-1

Episode 18 | In this episode of the Meat Success podcast, Katie Olthoff from Chop Local interviews Kayla Lewis of Pleasant View Beef. The conversation explores the role of women in the family farm business, particularly focusing on marketing and store management. Kayla details the history of Pleasant View Beef, which transitioned from dairy to beef in 2023 due to economic challenges. The farm began selling beef direct to consumers in 2018, starting with small-scale cuts and gradually expanding to a dedicated retail store. The interview highlights the impact of COVID-19 on local food businesses, with Pleasant View Beef seeing increased demand leading to the establishment of a larger store in 2021. Key points discussed include the importance of location, customer education, and seasonal sales strategies. Kayla also shares insights on managing customer relations, product diversification, and continuous growth achieved through innovative marketing and community engagement.

Learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

Grab our mEat-Commerce Essentials to start making money in your direct to consumer business today with $100 off the course with code: POD100

Snag Access Here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/meat-commerce-essentials-1

Episode 17 | In this episode of the Meat Success Podcast, Katie Olthoff, co-founder of Chop Local and Chop Local University, is back for Season 2! In this first episode, she chats with Deb Gress of Vintage Beef. Deb shares how she and her husband launched their farm-to-table beef business in 2017, starting with just 10 head of cattle and a few freezers. Today, they butcher about 75 head annually and run an on-farm store supported by a Choose Iowa Grant, offering beef, pork, lamb, honey, and local goods on consignment. Deb discusses the role of social media, word-of-mouth, and customer relationships in their growth, as well as adapting to pandemic challenges, shifting to online sales with Chop Local, and experimenting with events and collaborations. She emphasizes steady growth and learning from fellow farmers as keys to success in direct-to-consumer meat sales.

Learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

In this episode of the Meat Success podcast, host Katie Olthoff, co-founder of ChopLocal and ChopLocal University, interviews Matt LeRoux, a resident expert on direct-to-consumer meat marketing and meat pricing. Matt shares his journey from being a vegetarian to becoming a meat marketing expert, working extensively with farmers in the northeast. They discuss Matt's roles at Cornell and the Dyson School of Applied Economics, his project 'Meat Suite,' which is a directory for bulk meat sales, and tools like the Meat Price Calculator and Bundle Builder designed to help farmers price their products effectively. The conversation also covers the importance of marketing techniques, consumer demand, and strategic pricing, as well as insights from Matt's farmer's market research, emphasizing booth setup, customer interactions, and the benefits of accepting credit cards. The episode is a rich resource for meat producers looking to optimize their direct-to-consumer sales strategies.

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

In this episode of the Meat Success podcast, Katie Olthoff interviews Aaron Steele, founder of Goats on the Go, a national targeted grazing service. Aaron explains how his goats and sheep are used to control unwanted vegetation for diverse customers, from suburban backyard owners to government agencies concerned with wildfire prevention. He discusses the economics of combining meat goat production with commercial grazing services, emphasizing how multi-revenue streams can make goat farming more profitable. Aaron also shares insights on market segmentation, pricing strategies, and the importance of understanding customer values. He highlights the necessity for affiliates to provide great customer service, value their time appropriately, and be enthusiastic about their business. Katie connects these ideas to selling meat direct to consumers, stressing the significance of meeting customer values and providing a quality product. Aaron plugs his audiobook, 'Goats for Good,' which outlines the benefits and enterprises associated with raising goats.

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

This episode is a replay of a ChopLocal University marketing webinar designed to help butchers and direct-to-consumer meat sellers sell more meat using smarter social media strategies. Hosted by Sierra Walter, ChopLocal’s new marketing specialist and social media expert, this session is packed with actionable tips tailored for the meat industry.

Sierra walks through key elements of building an effective social media presence—covering everything from strategic planning and content creation to boosting engagement. You’ll learn why providing valuable content matters more than jumping on every trend, how to stay consistent using a content calendar, and how to use tools like Canva and InShot to streamline your workflow.

She also shares practical advice on using reels, writing strong captions, tapping into local Facebook groups, and scheduling posts with Meta Business Suite. Plus, the webinar touches on common social media struggles, offers free downloadable resources, and gives a sneak peek at upcoming ChopLocal University trainings.

Whether you're a seasoned butcher or just starting your farm-to-table journey, this replay is full of insights to help you connect with your customers and move more meat.

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

In this episode of the Meat Success podcast, Katie Olthoff, co-founder of ChopLocal and ChopLocal University, introduces the latest team member, Sierra Walter. Sierra shares her background in agriculture, growing up in Western Oklahoma on a cow-calf operation and with a keen interest in horses. She discusses her involvement in her family's beef business and how these experiences shaped her career path. Katie and Sierra delve into social media marketing strategies relevant to small meat businesses, including the importance of consistency, the impact of visually appealing content, and the use of stories and reels on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. They also explore the utility of various tools, such as mini mics and gimbals, to enhance content creation. The episode provides valuable insights and practical tips for leveraging social media to boost business visibility and engagement.

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

On this episode of the Meat Success podcast, Katie Olthoff interviews Teresa Davis from West 40 Market in Ankeny, Iowa. Theresa shares her journey from farmer’s market vendor to opening a brick-and-mortar store during COVID-19, highlighting challenges, community building, and strategic marketing. She emphasizes teamwork, customer relationships, and adaptability in business growth.

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

In this episode of the Meat Success podcast, Katie Olthoff, co-founder of ChopLocal and ChopLocal University, turns their recent webinar 'How to Make People Buy from Your Online Store' into an episode for you today. Katie discusses the challenges faced by farmers and butcher shops in converting physical store customers into online buyers. She emphasizes the significance of conversion rate optimization (CRO), sharing strategies for attracting and retaining online customers. Katie outlines the essential elements for improving e-commerce conversion rates, such as effective target customer analysis, clear product descriptions, high-quality product photos, and using sales promotions strategically. She also talks about the importance of keeping inventory consistent and making logistical details easily accessible. The podcast wraps up by presenting three action steps for different types of store owners and introduces an upcoming accelerator program to help vendors improve their online sales performance.

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

On the Meat Success podcast, Katie Olthoff talks with Rebecca Dalton of Dalton Farms about her transition from nursing to managing a direct-to-consumer beef business. Rebecca shares how she married into farming, shifted their cattle operation to direct sales, and built a loyal customer base through social media. She discusses launching the Meat Barn, balancing farm and family life, and strategies for engaging customers online.

Make sure to follow Rebecca Online Below

• https://www.instagram.com/daltonfarmsllc/
• https://www.facebook.com/DaltonFarmsofWakemanOhio

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/

In this episode of Meat Success, Katie Olthoff, Co-Founder of ChopLocal talks with Sam Santry from Sweetwater Farm and Ranch Co. in central California. Sam describes the farm's unique geography in the Sierra Nevada foothills and their focus on raising Berkshire pork. The conversation covers the logistics of selling high-quality pork to various restaurants, including fine dining establishments, the importance of building strong relationships with chefs, and overcoming challenges in the supply chain. Sam explains the long-term strategy of offering free samples, emphasizing building trust with chefs and restaurant owners, and adjusting to customer needs. They also discuss difficulties of working with grocery stores, the incremental success in marketing directly to consumers, and using regenerative farming practices to improve soil health. Sam shares the farm's journey from simply having land to creating a sustainable business model, the challenges and rewards of their approach, and insights into effective marketing and establishing partnerships. Learn more about Sam and his operation here: https://www.swfrc.com/

Make sure to sign up for the Spring Webinar Series, where we are sharing strategies on how to better sell your meat! Learn more here: https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/blog/2025-meat-marketing-webinars

And learn more about ChopLocal and ChopLocal University Below!

• https://choplocal.com/
• https://www.choplocaluniversity.com/