Thank you for tuning in to this week's Cozy Cabin Chats. In today's episode, we'll introduce you to Anna,an incredible woman rancher who resides on her family's ranch in Helmville, Montana.
In 2022, Anna fulfilled her dream of selling high-quality beef directly to consumers from her ranch. This inspired her to launch Beauty and The Beef, a business that delivers quality beef from their ranch to everyone.
Anna's story is a testament to the amazing things women can achieve, and we're excited to share more about her, her love for Montana, ranching, and more with you.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and where you currently reside.
Hello! My name is Anna; I’m a rancher from Montana. I live in a super small ranching community with my husband. We live right next door to my parents on our family ranch. In 2022, I started a beef business, Beauty and the Beef, selling beef directly to consumers. I ship my beef nationwide and have shipped to 40 states so far! It’s been incredible to see how quickly my beef biz has grown and all the wonderful people I’ve been able to connect with!
How did you get started in your ranching business?
I grew up on the ranch and fell in love with this way of life from an early age. I’ve always been drawn to animals - especially horses, dogs, and cows! I learned alongside my parents and grandparents and am honored to get to carry on the traditions they thoughtfully started. I did leave the ranch for about 13 years to get my college degree (I became a CPA) and worked in public accounting for almost a decade. I switched to working for a bank, a job I could work remotely for, and moved back to the ranch in 2020. In February 2024, I officially “retired” from my accounting job and became a full-time rancher and beef lady!
I started my beef biz because I’m very passionate about animal welfare. I’m very drawn to keeping all of our animals to finish out here on our ranch (rather than them going into the feedlot business). I also want to see our ranch continue for future generations, so I was looking to find a way to build more profit with the assets and resources we already had.
“I want our family’s ranching operation to be sustainable for future generations”
How would you describe what you do and what your job entails? Please give us all the details :)
I’m a jack of all trades, master of none!! My favorite time is time outside doing just about anything on the ranch. I manage the cattle, everything from grazing rotations, herd health, calving, and feeding, and with particular attention to our finishing process where we prepare the cattle for harvest. My mom and dad are very active on the ranch, and I’m so thankful to still learn from them and work alongside them. I also do a lot of fencing and irrigating.
In the summer months, my days are full between irrigating and high density rotational grazing for the cows and horses - moving them to new pastures daily. I do some equipment things, but honestly, that is not my specialty. Dad still does a lot of running the heavy equipment and mechanical on it. I help put up the hay mid-summer, but Dad does the bulk of that, too.
Being a business owner, I own and operate Beauty and the Beef; I have a lot of office time. Between customer relations, tracking orders, marketing, accounting, and office admin, I have several hrs a day on my computer. I’m involved in every aspect of my beef business - taking the cattle to the butcher, staying with them through the end at the butcher, packing customer orders, etc.
What education or skill do you need to become a rancher?
You need grit, a strong work ethic, and the belief that everything is figureoutable! There are endless variables and factors out of your control (weather for example) in ranching that you need to learn to stay agile and adaptable! Change is your best friend! Learning animal husbandry and how to become one with the land - everything we do is to benefit the land and the animals, for if we are good to them, they will be good to us.
For my beef biz, my accounting background has been beneficial! When I was in public accounting I worked primarily with farmers and ranchers, so I got to see the inside workings of many family ranches and learn lessons of things to do (or not to do) in my own business. I’ve taken several leadership trainings throughout my career as well, and these have been a great help to me in leading my own business. This one is random, but I used to waitress through my college years, and I think that taught me a lot about customer service and how I prioritize building relationships with my beef buyers.
What is a common misconception that people have regarding your business or job?
I think that a lot of folks who haven’t had the privilege of spending time on a family ranch hear the word “ranch” or “cattle” and think that we are ruining the world. In my opinion, there’s nothing further from the truth. Small family ranches are indeed the backbone of this country. And getting to spend time on a small family ranch, like ours, I think, would show what good stewards of the land and animals ranchers are. We are the most closely connected to the land and likely want to see the land well cared for.
“Ranchers are the OG conservationists or environmentalists, we care more than many know or give credit.”
What is the hardest part of your job?
Saying goodbye to my animals when I take them to the butcher. I am a bleeding heart, a total animal lover. It’s surprising in a way that I’m a beef lady! You’d think I’d be a vegetarian. But I believe in the circle of life and the purpose of these animals that God gave us. I feel like I’m called to raise the animals and stay with them through to the end. It breaks my heart to say goodbye - tears, sleepless nights, a heavy heart. But I feel in my bones that I’m doing the right thing - and I think that my customers have so much appreciation to be connected to the story of the animal that becomes their meat. It truly changes the eating experience.
Why is it important to know your rancher? Why should people care?
You are what you eat!!! It is absolutely life-changing to be connected to your food source. To know how your food was raised. To know who grew or raised it, how they raised it, what their ranching philosophy is, how they treat their animals, where they are raised, and what kind of environment the animals are kept it. Honestly, it’s one of the greatest privileges to know these things, to have a genuine connection to the food that nourishes you. In today’s world, it is a privilege. I wish it were something that everyone could experience, but unfortunately, it is a privilege that is not available to all.
What makes a good ranch?
Gosh, I like to think most ranchers are good. We all have different philosophies and practices, but I want to believe we are all doing the best we can with what we have/know. To me, a regenerative ranch that has figured out how to improve the land without additives (chemical fertilizers or weed sprays) is setting itself apart. A ranch that values the basics and prioritizes what’s best for the land and the animals first and foremost, rather than a “take as much as I can from these resources” mentality.
“Ranching is a delicate dance with Mother Nature, a relationship of give and take - which you always need to keep in balance.”
What are you most proud of regarding ranching and your work? and why?
I’m proud of the quality of beef that we produce. I believe that we are one of the best grasslands in the nation to finish cattle on grass indeed. We ranch in an untouched part of Montana - we have pure, natural resources that haven’t been polluted from upstream factories, etc. That is becoming more and more unique as time goes on.
I’m proud of the foundation that my grandparents and parents started on this ranch and that I now get to be a part of. Many people involved in agriculture cite community as their favorite aspect of the industry. This sense of community can be experienced in various settings, such as around the dinner table, at town hall meetings, or through online forums. It is this connection to something greater than oneself that makes community a vital aspect of agriculture.
However, it can be easy to overlook this sense of community, particularly after long and isolated days in the field or barn. Building and maintaining a strong community takes effort, but it is an integral part of the backbone of agriculture.
What advice would you give to our readers who want to begin the process of buying beef directly from a rancher?
Do it!!! A 1000% do it!!! Take the time to connect with your rancher truly. Get to know them, ask them questions, and go visit their ranch if you can. Find someone that truly ranches in alignment with your own beliefs and values! I promise they are out there. And by choosing to support your rancher, you are making a significant difference in their life. You’re helping keep their small family ranch in business and helping to keep land in agricultural production.
💭As someone who has directly purchased from Anna, I believe supporting ranchers and being fully aware of what we are paying for is crucial. It's essential to develop a personal connection with the source of our foods. Our family is proud to support Beauty and the Beef, a woman-owned and operated business that produces sustainable, nutritious, and delicious beef
Here are some things that we consider when evaluating the quality of beef we are purchasing for our family:
never fed antibiotics or drugs
100% grass-fed and grass-finished
no steroids or added hormones
humanely treated cattle
regenerative farming practices
When you were growing up, did your family eat together? Why was this important to your family?
Yes! I can still remember my grandma's cooking! It is the absolute best! It is so special to have family time around the table together.
“Food is a bonding, memory-building tool. Cooking together, eating together, and cleaning up together. So many skills and special memories are built around sharing meals!”
🍽️ In today's fast-paced world, where convenience is king, this blog post shares tips on slowing down, planning, preparing, and involving your children in all facets of meal time.
What is your favorite meal to prepare for dinner?
I’ve been super into rice, veggie, and meat bowls lately. I like to make those with about any kind of beef - I’ll use burgers, steak bites, or shredded roast. A solid go-to that you can adjust the veggies, seasonings, and sauces to keep it seasonal, different, and delicious!!
💭 As a busy family, we love any recipe incorporating meat, veggies, and rice (or beans) into one bowl. Check out this Southwest Steak Rice Bowl, which showcases juicy slices of seared steak served over a crisp bed of lettuce greens along with brown rice, black beans, avocado, pico de gallo, cheese, and a creamy cilantro lime dressing. It's the perfect protein-packed bowl for busy weekdays, ushering the kids from school to activities.
Do you like winter? What do you do to adjust to seasonal changes?
I love winter! It’s beautiful, and I like the shorter/slower days. It's a natural time to find more time to cozy up by the fire, slow down, read more books, etc. I love living seasonally and the changes that come with each season. To me, that’s the beauty of life - learning to live in tune with Mother Nature and the seasons of wherever we live.
❄️For readers who aren’t fans of winter, check out our blog, "How To Enjoy Winter (Even If You Hate It)," for tips on embracing the chilly months with a fresh, positive mindset. Let us help you find joy in the frosty season!
How do you feel about being outside and in nature? What is your favorite way to include nature in your day?
Love it! It brings me complete peace, a heart full of gratitude, and a calm within my soul! I’m meant to be outside, moving my body and surrounded by animals. I’m outside every day between all the ranch things! And my 3 doggies keep me accountable for getting them outside and on the move enough!
You and DJ are having a date night. What are you doing? Do you like going to town or staying home and having a cozy, slow evening?
DJ and I haven’t done many “date nights.” We went to dinner and a movie for the first time two weeks ago, which was really fun! One time we dressed up and went to a seafood restaurant, which was also lovely!
We are both worker bees - so many of our “let’s do something special” are working on projects together. DJ is super handy and creative, so I love working on projects with him, as he thinks of things I would never have. We also love cozying up on the couch and watching a show together - we recently watched Downton Abbey and liked that. And we like to have friends or family over and cook for them! Family time is special to both of us.
💭If you and your significant other enjoy spending time together, try these Autumn Date Night ideas and make the most of the beautiful season.
Our readers are wondering, what do you do for fun?
I used to go to concerts, brewery tours, or shopping dates with my gal pals…. I don’t do a lot of those things anymore. I love it so much here at the ranch that I find myself having fun daily and not feeling the need to seek entertainment outside of that.
For me, my fun is probably mostly around roping. I assembled an all-girls ranch rodeo team a couple of summers ago, and we traveled around to a few ranch rodeos. That was fun for me!
I also get to help friends move cows, brand calves, ship calves, and that kind of thing. Driving my Big Girls (my Clydesdale team) with my Mom fills my cup up!!
Let's chat about Montana!
Our readers love to travel. What are some of the best places to visit in your area? What season is best for visiting?
Montana is incredible! We have Yellowstone National Park (my favorite time to visit is the winter when there aren’t many people in there) and Glacier National Park. Glacier is stunning, and you can plan some off-the-beaten-path hikes to get a great view of the park without a ton of people around.
Outside of the parks, I’d say June is the BEST month of the year - everything is the most gorgeous green you’ll ever see, we are warm but not too hot yet, and everything feels so fresh and full of life. I like the small towns, myself. Philipsburg is a really neat small town to visit. Or Virginia City! If you go to Virginia City, check the follies out and get an old-time family picture taken!
Where has been your favorite place to travel to?
I went to Ireland with some girlfriends after tax season in my public accounting days. That trip was phenomenal. There were three of us who went. We went for nine days, and each of us got to plan three days of the trip, which was a fun way to do that!
Share with us anything else our readers would like to know about you!
I would love your readers to follow me on Instagram for all my day-to-day adventures and behind-the-scenes of our ranch! This is where you can also see when I release beef packages. I have a variety of 50-400 lb bundles to choose from, with the idea being to stock up and build your freezer section in your home! I only offer this twice a year, so follow along!
As we close this week’s Cozy Cabin Chat, we're inspired by Anna’s transition from CPA to full-time rancher and her dedication to sustainable ranching. Her story with Beauty and the Beef showcases a passion for quality and transparency. She honors her family's legacy while innovating for modern consumer needs.
Supporting family farms like Anna’s embraces a sustainable future and strengthens our connection to the land and food.
Follow Anna on Instagram for glimpses of her ranch life and updates on her beef offerings. In less than two weeks, Anna will open pre-orders for her beef! Visit her website to explore the options available and prepare to place your order.
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