Ohio Farm Bureau introduces Energy and Utility Issues Resource Guide
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read MoreWalking through the doors at T. L. Keller Meats you immediately sense the energy that resonates through the building of this family venture in Medina County.
Ringing phones demand attention from founder, Tom Keller, as he fields questions from clients who have animals being processed. Meanwhile daughter Kayleigh answers a call about what cut of meat will work for a customer. Outside, mom Cathy Keller, directs her Whole Hogg Catering pit crew as they smoke and BBQ a mountain of ribs to be sold later that day outside their Litchfield meat market for the “Racks for Racks” fundraiser, created by the Keller family in support of breast cancer research.
The pace doesn’t slow as you leave the office and head to the cooler and cutting room where the beef, pork, lamb and deer carcasses are inspected and processed. The Keller family works with two local slaughterhouses and then finishes the cutting and packaging at their facility. Every carcass is precisely identified with all information about origin and processing after being examined and stamped by the state inspector, who is at the facility every day.
“Your inspector should be your best friend,” Kayleigh said. “We welcome his feedback, and he’s here every day to make sure that our facility is producing the safest product we can for our customers.”
Local livestock farmers also have the added benefit of learning about ways to improve their feeding and management plans as they work with Kayleigh, who received a degree in animal nutrition from Ohio State University. Her keen eye and understanding of nutrition allows her to evaluate the hanging carcasses and give recommendations to the farmers.
On the farm side of the Keller business, son Kelton, the fifth generation on the family farm, raises crops and hay with cousin Ryan Keller and his father, Tim, to feed the cow-calf operation that also provides product for sale at the Keller meat market in Litchfield. Tom and Cathy’s other daughter Shanna, who works full-time for the Metro Parks, also lends a hand when she can to the family farm and businesses.
One of the most notable changes since establishing the custom meat market in 1999 is that customers want to know much more about where their food comes from and how it is raised. Tom takes pride in being able to speak with each customer about this concern.
“We can be honest with them and tell them where (the meat) came from,” he said. “When we buy from local farmers I can probably even take them to that farm and show them the mother that animal came from.”
A resurgence in the art of smoking and barbecuing has made cuts like the pork butt and brisket some of the most sought after and valued cuts in the Keller shop.
“People are getting excited about making their own food again and it’s heartwarming,” Kayleigh said. “They bring in samples and ask us for opinions all the time.”
Creative customers are also using nontraditional items from the butchering process such as fat for soaps and bones and marrow for protein sources.
The commitment of the Keller family is woven through not only the fabric of the family businesses, but reaches into the community as well. They are supporters of local county fairs and schools, the area food bank and other civic groups. Kayleigh is on the Medina County Farm Bureau board this year and looks forward to continuing the Keller family’s mission of working in the community to promote a better understanding of agriculture.
Experiment with meat on a budget
Why are these in the bargain basket? They are all nontraditional cuts from the carcass that are very thin, not highly marbled and typically considered a lesser cut. Yet when prepared correctly they will still shine as the centerpiece of dinner.
Check out beefitswhatsfordinner.com for more great recipe ideas.
Featured Image: Cathy (left) and Kayleigh Keller.
Ohio Farm Bureau’s newest resource for members seeks to help farmland owners navigate the many questions surrounding energy development.
Read MoreThrough a grassroots process, county leaders identified 106 seats where a Friend of Agriculture could be named, with 104 of those seats ultimately being won by a Friend of Agriculture candidate.
Read MoreOhio Farm Bureau’s 2024-2025 AgriPOWER Institute kicked off in October with 14 farmers and agribusiness professionals participating in Class XV.
Read MoreNationwide’s Grain Bin Safety campaign has awarded grain rescue tubes and training to 390 fire departments across 32 states since 2014.
Read MoreThe event takes place Feb. 7-8, 2025 at Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio and is open to members of all ages. Registration closes Jan. 21.
Read MoreReceive free conference registration and complimentary transportation to and from the conference March 7-10, 2025 in Denver.
Read MoreFrom minor fixes to complete overhauls, this limited time offer is your chance to save on necessary updates and give your post-frame building the attention it deserves.
Read MoreSharing our story is how we connect with others, especially those not involved in the day-to-day operations of agriculture.
Read MoreBethany Schappacher, a Clinton County Farm Bureau member, and her family own Schappacher Farms, a 50-acre pumpkin farm featuring a corn maze, hayrides, fall treats and other family activities.
Read MoreTime is running out for thousands of farmers who may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to…
Read More