Lacey Block was just starting her farm-to-table enterprise, Ranchers Rebellion," just as COVID-19 was shutting down packing plants throughout the Midwest that drove meat prices up and some store shelves empty of meat. And it exposed how vulnerable the supply chain is.
About two years ago, Lacey started learning about the business of finishing cattle instead of simply taking calves to market. In February, Block and her family were getting set to start selling more of their beef directly to the public, mostly through freezers at small town convenience stores. But suddenly, everything changed.
To read more about Lacey Block and Ranchers Rebellion: Rancher's Rebellion: How COVID sparked a direct-market beef business
To listen to a podcast featuring Lacey: Lacey Block of Rancher's Rebellion gives the inside scoop on direct marketing on the Agweek Podcast
