Document Actions
Great Lakes Family Farms, Inc.
A Marketing Alliance of Ohio Beef Feeders
In the spring of 1999, a group of northwest Ohio beef producers got together and were discussing how they could stay in the cattle business. They enjoyed the premiums from their high quality freezer beef sales, but selling all of their cattle through this market would be difficult. They noted that their customers often commented, "Why can't we buy this quality of beef in the stores?"
In 2000, the northwest Ohio producer group pooled money together and purchased their first group of cattle to be put on feed. This group of cattle was marketed through the Toledo Farmers' Market. The producers attended the market weekly during the summer. From this experience, the producers learned first hand what their consumers were looking for in a beef product through a survey, which they conducted. Over 80 percent of respondents of the Toledo Farmers' Market survey said they: support family farms, do not want antibiotics or hormones in meat products and would want products that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less. Also in 2000, the producer group worked with Ohio's 9th District Congresswoman, Marcy Kaptur, to look at developing an Ohio branded product that created opportunities to improve product safety and communication flow from the packer to the cow/calf producers. That fall, the producers received notification that they were approved for federal funding for their venture of creating a new brand of beef.
Through their research findings, the producers were able to tailor a product and build a marketing plan around their customers. In July 2001, the producers received their first funding assistance from the USDA.
Since 2001, the producers have been able to develop a brand through the help of federal funds. Also, the producers formed the Great Lakes Family Farms (GLFF) cooperative. The formation of the cooperative was solely funded by the producers.
Currently, there are producer/members involved with GLFF located throughout Ohio. GLFF facilitates the brand, Ohio Signature Beef(TM). The Ohio Signature Beef(TM) brand was launched in retail stores in April 2003. Since the brand was launched, there are 14 stores carrying the brand. The 10 key advantages of Ohio Signature Beef(TM) are: 1) source verified; 2) locally-raised Ohio beef; 3) "All-natural" with nothing artificial: raised without hormones, raised without antibiotics; 4) educated producers; 5) high quality; 6) USDA certified; 7) corn-fed; 8) dry-aged; 9) high yield; and 10) satisfaction guaranteed.
GLFF is striving to establish opportunities for Ohio Cattlemen to add value to their grains, labor and management through Ohio conceived, raised and processed beef products, allowing beef producers to enhance and maximize profitability.
The requirements for membership into GLFF are: abide by the association's articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules and regulations; be a producer of beef and resident of Ohio and be trained in the Beef Quality Assurance and the LEAP (Livestock Environmental Assurance Program). Through the trainings, the producers have certification in raising safe beef products, which re-enforces the consumers' trust in their product. For more information on GLFF contact: Joe Kapp 419-356-1836.
