Here’s another visit to California in my month-long series celebrating the diversity in Agriculture. We’ve been hearing from farmers, ranchers, and consumers and learning why they are proud to be a part of Agriculture. Today we hear from Jenny Dewey, who comes from a family of butchers. She does great work in sharing where our meat comes from. Why are YOU Agriculture Proud?

Ever since I can remember I have been exposed to agriculture. But as the older I get, I realize how blessed I am to have grown up around it. I am so proud to be part of a small minority of people who have experienced firsthand what pasture to plate really means. In 1965, Chico Locker & Sausage Co. was born. Established by my grandfather and now owned by my father, we run a retail meat shop and deli also specializing in custom processing.

It’s safe to say that I have been around meat my whole life, I was essentially born into it. Starting as a baby, there I was on my dad’s back in a little carrier while he hand linked sausage all day. Or in a playpen in the deli while my mom made sandwiches. Days when I was off from school, it was a treat to go, dare I say it, “butchering” with Dad on his mobile slaughter truck. Growing up at the shop, seeing meat being cut, sausage being made, and even the animals being butchered was an everyday thing to me. I saw it all and as far as I knew, this was normal. It wasn’t until I got a lot older that I realized not everyone ate meat or that people had such a disconnect with meat. It wasn’t until I started paying attention that I realized how many myths there really are about meat and meat production. And that is where I have found my passion, educating people about meat and meat production.

I started blogging, putting my voice out there, sharing my knowledge with others. I have found a passion for being an “agvocate” for my industry because I am proud of what it is my family has done for 45 years. My grandfather, my father, my mother, my brother, and I have all put our blood, sweat, and tears into working hard to provide a safe, quality, award-winning product for our customers to nourish their families with. And that is something we are proud of!

I invite you to check out our blog and hopefully learn a thing or two about meat.

For more information about our shop, our history, or to see some gorgeous photos of our shop, please check out this fantastic feature.

Or find me on Twitter.

Published by Ryan Goodman

Ryan Goodman works in grassroots advocacy as a communications consultant with beef cattle farmers and ranchers across the United States. He is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University, with studies focusing on cattle reproduction and nutrition. Ryan's experience in the beef industry range from family farms and ranches in several states to large feedlots and non-profit policy organizations. Ryan is an avid trail and ultrarunner, proudly showing how beef can be an important part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Find Ryan on social media as @BeefRunner.