February 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 53 THROUGH DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER BEEF MARKETING actually use and enjoy beef, making it easier for customers to choose what fits their needs,” Hazard adds. Supporting the local economy while balancing growth and scale is important to the Hazards. Rather than growing as fast as possible, they focus on doing things well and keeping the experience consistent for customers. Processing in small, regular batches helps them keep quality consistent and fill orders as they come in. Their partnerships with local producers and processors allow them to maintain product availability as they grow. Early on, the Hazards tried a weekly farmers market, but that did not work well with their family lifestyle and young children. Instead, they found success with one-day vendor events and pop-up shows, allowing them to connect face-toface with customers, share their story and introduce people to Hazard Beef in a way that’s both manageable and aligned with family and business priorities. “We’ve built most of our brand awareness through word of mouth and social media, focusing on real relationships and letting satisfied customers spread the word for us,” Hazard says. In the near future, the Hazards hope to see consumers become even more engaged with purchasing locally and understanding the impact those choices have on local farms and communities. While the direct-to-consumer beef market will likely remain competitive, they believe there will continue to be space for producers who focus on transparency, consistency and building real relationships with their customers. “For us, that means continuing to grow intentionally by expanding our herd, investing in additional space for packing and storage and eventually creating on-farm experiences like farm-to-table meal events that help people connect more closely with where their food comes from,” Hazard adds. When giving advice to someone interested in starting their own direct-to-consumer beef business, Hazard says to start simple and be realistic about both the logistics and the time commitment. Direct-to-consumer beef involves much more than just raising cattle – there’s customer education, marketing, processing schedules, inventory management and fulfillment to think through. Taking the time to understand how customers actually buy, pricing appropriately and building systems you can sustain is critical. “It’s also important to align the business with your lifestyle and capacity, because consistency and reliability matter more to customers than trying to grow too quickly,” Hazard concludes. Connecting With People As fifth-generation ranchers in Lincoln County, the Star family founded Birdwood Beef on the mission of bridging the gap between producer and consumer to provide quality beef from a reliable source. Their high-quality beef is raised on the Star Cattle Company’s family land along Birdwood Creek, making the name a natural fit for the business. The family owners include Jeanie Star, office operations, and her children, Rob and Jill Star, and Jason and Kayla Star. Rob manages the CATTLEMAN CONTINUED ON PAGE 54 The Star family of Birdwood Beef.
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