Jessica and Austin Ham with their children, captured by Adrian Hawkins, NRHC Communications Manager.
Did you know that buying directly from your local rancher not only supports your community but also ensures you’re getting a high-quality, sustainably raised product? At Canyon Valley Provisions, Jessica and Austin Ham are proving that responsible ranching can nourish both people and the land.
The Heart of Regenerative Ranching
Jessica and Austin, the husband-and-wife team behind Canyon Valley Provisions, have built their business on a foundation of stewardship, sustainability, and a deep love for the land.
“The most rewarding part is knowing we’re providing a nutrient-dense product to people,” Jessica said. “It’s truly an honor to play a small role, especially when we know how important those choices are for people and their families.”
Their journey began with a commitment to raising livestock in a way that honors both the animals and the ecosystem.
“Austin’s family was doing holistic management and rotational grazing with the intentions of restoring the land, improving the soil, and regenerating the land without focusing on beef,” Jessica said. “Thankfully, by doing that, they created a grass-fed, grass-finished beef product that is very delicious.”
At Canyon Valley Provisions, the Hams prioritize regenerative ranching practices, ensuring their cattle contribute to soil health rather than depleting it.
“Our focus has always been the land, the soil, and the cattle,” Jessica said.
A glimpse into branding day at Canyon Valley Provisions, captured by Adrian Hawkins, NRHC Communications Manager.
Connecting Consumers to Their Food
The connection between rancher and consumer is something Jessica and Austin value deeply.
“I think it’s important to know your food and know the people raising it, whether that be your milk, your vegetables, your meat, anything else,” Jessica said. “Having that relationship means so much not only to the rancher but also to the consumer.”
However, they recognize the challenges in bridging the gap between agriculture and the public.
“There is such a disconnect between people and their food and agriculture as a whole,” Jessica said. “We’re doing what we can to bridge that gap.”
At Canyon Valley Provisions, field and activity days help educate the public and bring them closer to the ranching lifestyle. Through social media, local events, and word-of-mouth communication, they share their story and help consumers make informed choices about their food.
“At the ranch, we have people come out, we do soil demonstrations, and have multiple educational stations so that we can help bridge that gap and let people know that whatever practices ranchers use, whether they’re feeding or not feeding, whether they’re rotating or not rotating, the heart of the rancher is for the cattle and the land, and that cows and ranchers are not the bad guys. When we invite people out here and open the gates, it creates a healthy relationship between food and people that allows us to honor the animal.”
The Power of Supporting Local
Jessica and Austin want to empower consumers to choose local retailers in every aspect of where they are getting their food.
“We do as much as we can locally. We have a local butcher, we work with local retailers, we support local teams and organizations,” Jessica said. “If everyone knew they could support a local ranch or producer by buying their products directly from them, think about how much that could boost the economy.”
Not only is buying locally beneficial for the economy, but it also gives consumers peace of mind in knowing exactly where their food comes from.
“You actually save a lot more money when you skip the middle man and go straight to the producer, but you’re doing more than that. You’re getting a higher-quality product that you know where it came from, you know what it was fed,” Jessica said. “Regardless of what happens with the supply chain and our country and our government, if you have that solid relationship with your rancher and your producer, you know exactly where to go when you need food.”
A Legacy of Agriculture
As part of National Agriculture Week, Canyon Valley Provisions reminds us that supporting local farmers and ranchers isn’t a new trend, it’s a return to the way things used to be.
“This is not a new concept. This is actually what it used to be. People always knew exactly who was raising their beef and their food,” Jessica said. “Instead of making things so complicated we need to remember how things were done a long time ago. We can take note from that and remember that we can keep things simple and keep people at the heart of what we do.”
Jessica Ham in action during branding at Canyon Valley Provisions, captured by Adrian Hawkins, NRHC Communications Manager.
A Canyon Valley Provisions calf, captured by Adrian Hawkins, NRHC Communications Manager.
Support the Cause
Want to know where your food comes from? Support ranchers like Jessica and Austin by choosing local, sustainable options. Visit https://www.canyonvalleyprovisions.com/ to learn more about their operation.
To explore the rich history of ranching and agriculture and discover ways to support those who dedicate their lives to feeding our communities, visit https://ranchingheritage.org/
Agriculture is more than an industry, it’s a way of life, and it’s up to all of us to ensure its future remains strong.
