Conference Speakers

Doc and Connie Hatfield

have been in charge of Country Natural Beef’s marketing for the past twenty two years. In May of 2009 they completed succession of their marketing business to Stacy Davies.  They are now back full time on their ranch at Brothers, OR, a 400 mother cow desert operation running on approximately 30,000 acres. 

Meat sales the past fiscal year exceeded 50 million dollars. 

In 1986 Doc and Connie Hatfield along with 13 like minded ranchers founded Country Natural Beef. Their first year the cooperative marketed 3-5 head per week.  In fiscal 2007-08 over 45,000 head of cattle were sold to their retail partners coolers as boxed beef, hamburger and hot dogs.  The original 14 have grown to over 100 artisan ranchers operating on well over 6 million acres of rangeland.  All ranches are third party certified by www.foodalliance.org

Country Natural Beef ranchers practice "Grazewell," seven self-designed principles which lead to decisions for the long-term health of the land rather than short-term gain. By carefully managing their rangeland, they protect and enhance their watershed, wildlife and plant biodiversity. And because member ranchers retain ownership of their beef until it reaches the retail level, they are able to extend their stewardship through the feedlot and packing process, partnering with companies that use humane practices. All ranches are third party certified by www.foodalliance.org.   Sharing their values as well as their success in business, Doc& Connie are frequent speakers at sustainability and food systems meetings throughout the west.  

“Sustainability demands that our meats be affordable to the consumer who is not particularly affluent. We’ve achieved that, and it’s very rewarding,” says Doc Hatfield.

 

Wendy Lee White

Marketing Specialist
Colorado Department of Agriculture, Markets Division
700 Kipling Street, Suite 4000
Lakewood, CO  80215
Ph. (303) 239-4119
Fax (303) 239-4125
Wendy.White@ag.state.co.us

Wendy Lee White has been a Domestic Marketing Specialist for the Colorado Department of Agriculture for more than nine years. Her primary responsibility is managing the Colorado Proud program, which encourages consumers, restaurants, schools and retailers to purchase Colorado food and agricultural products. She organizes public relations and promotion efforts for the Markets Division in addition to developing division brochures and publications.

Wendy is also actively involved with promoting agritourism events and activities in the state. Through the annual Colorado Farm Fresh Directory and the Department’s Web site, she helps farms and ranches market their agritourism operations to both residents and tourists.

She is active in the women’s culinary organization, Les Dames d'Escoffier, and is a Faculty Affiliate with Colorado State University.

Wendy graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Animal Science and from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs with an MBA emphasizing Marketing.