In 1976, ranchers Doc and Connie Hatfield knew there had to be a better way to deliver the naturally raised beef products that consumers wanted, and a better way for ranchers to remain economically and environmentally sustainable. In 1984, they began working with a group of their ranching neighbors to produce naturally raised beef for the marketplace. The group agreed to form the consumer driven b
eef marketing cooperative — Oregon Country Beef, which originally was comprised of 14 ranching families. Today, Oregon Country Beef, a trusted Oregon-based company, is one of the nation’s leaders in natural beef production. The cooperative now consists of nearly 100 family ranches in and around Oregon. These families own more than 100,000 mother cows managed on millions of acres of private and public lands. And, they have developed important working relationships with leading restaurateurs and retailers across the nation. These ranches establish individual programs to fulfill Oregon Country Beef’s high standards of environmental sustainability, practice “Raised Well” principles with their cattle and consistently provide superior tasting product. It’s important to know where your food comes from!
