Episode 162 // Jordan Classen of Classen Land & Cattle
On today's episode of the Rural Revival podcast we're with Jordan Classen of Classen Land & Cattle and Classen Mercantile out of Albion, Nebraska (pop. 1,703), and we're talking all about what it takes to start and grow a beef business from the ground up.
Jordan and her husband Travis are building their dream together and bringing their vision for their farm and business to life — which started with three head of cattle — and now has their beef finding its way to tables around the country and in their local schools. Jordan has worked hard to incorporate an entirely local beef program in those schools! She also talks about how she's betting on herself, the importance of farmers’ markets and why we need to support them, and how she's using this business to impact consumers.
And here's something fun, we actually got to help build the Classen Mercantile website when Jordan attended one of our Brand Camp events a few years back. If you're in need of a website or other branding, we want to help. Branded by Rural Revival is our rural design studio where we are helping small business owners and small towns with websites, design, marketing assets, brand kits, and more. Our #1 goal is to help provide the tools you need to succeed as a small business owner or small town — and help you build a brand that you love. If you want to learn more or check out some of our latest work, go to brandedbyruralrevival.co.
You’ll love Jordan's heart for agriculture and all the amazing things she’s doing with this business! And as we start to think about the Christmas season, which will be here before we know it, Classen Mercantile is now taking prime rib orders and will be shipping as soon as they get their restock in around November 15! They will also be offering jerky and beef sticks this Christmas. If you're local to Albion area, you can stop by their beef store on the first Saturday of the month from 10-2 or also by appointment.
“I’m really thankful for our story and how we started. One thing we learned is you have to take that chance on yourself. You have to put yourself out there, and you have to be willing to put yourself in front of consumers.”
- Jordan Classen
“This beef store is a place where I am betting on myself currently. I want this space to be like a local food hub.”
- Jordan Classen
“Most of our farmers’ market sales are to people who are interested in where there food is coming from, and we’re just really excited that we can continue to meet that demand and grow our audience to people who maybe wouldn’t otherwise have access to really great off-the-farm beef.”
- Jordan Classen
“The thing I noticed working at the school is you can impact a lot of young eaters very quickly through the school lunch programs.”
- Jordan Classen
“It’s nice to be able to tailor our business big and small, but the in between phase was a lot of groundwork. We have so much sweat equity in this business right now. We’ve actually never got a paycheck from our business yet but that’s just because we really believe in reinvesting in it because we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
- Jordan Classen
“I really just get such a high when I leave those farmers’ markets because I know I’m impacting the consumers that I’m coming in contact with.”
- Jordan Classen
“One of the most exciting things about farmers’ markets is seeing the community in Nebraska show up and support small scale farmers. Farmers’ markets are always going to be something that’s so important to all of our communities.”
- Jordan Classen
PODCAST SHOW NOTES AND LINKS:
Albion, Nebraska
Humphrey, Nebraska
Bellevue Farmers’ Market
Sunday Farmers’ Market
Local Foods for Local Schools
Follow along with Jordan here:
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