Since COVID, beef producers have been searching for an outlet to diversify their programs. Through conversations, I realized that there was a large interest in Carroll County for beef production. There was one producer in particular who was very interested in opportunities to really get his program growing. 

From the traditional education side, I created the field to freezer program that I have previously reported on. Prior to this series, this particular producer had reached out to me asking questions about quality mineral, options on feeding distillers, and creating efficient ways of feeding his herd.  This producer had also begun feeding out steers, he attended the series, and we also sent feed samples to specialist. In the beginning he got the opportunity to provide ground beef to the Carroll County School system based off of the school systems grant money from the state that helps the schools be able to purchase produce and meat locally. We did some research and had many conversations on logistics and how he was going to balance and processing schedule. Overall he had a very successful experience and had the opportunity to provide to 4 other schools in Northern Kentucky! After hearing this news from him, I immediately contacted Faye Kuosman with the food connection to help him increase his and better his communications with the school systems food coordinators. Faye has helped in giving him the ability to negotiate pricing.  This producer has recently informed me that this year he still maintains all of his contracts with the schools he secured last year and is very hopeful that he will be adding a few more as well. We have had more conversations and he is planning on apply for the KSU small farms grant to help him convert a trailer into a cooler trailer! This has not only given him a second source of income for his beef operation, but it has also given him an outlet to go with cattle that he would normally take to the stockyards to sell.