In January, the Ohio Lamb and Wool Association held a meeting here in Butler County that encouraged anyone selling agricultural products directly to the consumer to come and learn about direct marketing. There were 111 people that showed up. This is just another example of how much interest there is in selling locally grown foods to the public.

As a result of that great response, the Lamb and Wool Association has decided to build on that success. On Monday, March 9 the Southwest Ohio district sheep meeting will be held here at the OSU Extension Office, 1802 Princeton Road, Hamilton, Ohio.

The topic for discussion will be “Selling meat directly to the public.” We will have local families who have been successful in selling lamb and beef tell you about their experiences.

Nick Forrest in a member of the American Lamb Board and a small flock owner here in Butler County. Nick has made many presentations around the country on selling lamb to the ethnic populations. He and his wife Cathy have the personal experience to tell you how it’s done.

Mike McDonald is a local beef producer who approaches the beef industry from a business perspective. He learned early on you weren’t going to make a great deal of money selling cattle if you followed the same marketing system as everyone else.
Mike and his wife Janet market about 100 head each year to restaurants in southwestern Ohio. He will share with you the struggles as well as the keys to success.

Tony and Ruth Ann Schaefer have been very busy selling both lamb and beef for the past couple of years. They take the animals to a federally inspected slaughter facility in Darke County and then sell the meat through direct home delivery or at farmer’s markets.
This is an opportunity for you to learn from people who are out there doing it. We hope people from all over the tri-state area will take advantage of the chance to learn what happens when the rubber meets the road.

We need reservations for refreshments and seating arrangement. Please call by Friday, March 6 for your RSVP at 513-887-3722.
Butler County Lamb and Wool Association members and Butler County Cattlemen Association members are free; all others will be asked to pay $5 at the door.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.