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WHO: |
Hart Country Meat; Heiden family |
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| BUSINESS TYPE: | Cattle Farming | ||
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SIGNATURE PRODUCTS: |
Black angus cattle farm |
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WHERE: IN-PERSON: WEBSITE: |
Driftless region–Rural Rushford Welcomes visitors to their farm near Winona https://hartcountrymeats.com |
By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers
Near Winona in the Minnesota Driftless region, the Heiden Family raises Black Angus cattle on farmland which has been in the family for seven generations.
Jessica and Tony Heiden, along with Tony’s parents, lead the current generations working side by side to raise their herd on healthy pastureland
without the use of implanted hormones. Their cattle are finished on hay and corn grown on the farm.
For processing all their beef is hand cut at a local facility. The family is proud of the tender cuts that deliver rich flavor through beautiful marbling. Both local Minnesota customers and fans across the country through The Meatery MN’s shipping options enjoy Hart Country Meat’s finished products.
Building a Family Business
“Taste the difference from the ground up” is their farm’s slogan. Their cattle are shaped by the rich soil they cultivate among the Driftless region’s rolling hills. The flavor of their beef is shaped by some of Minnesota’s richest farmland as their cows typically spend their whole life—from birth until their one bad day—on the farm and its pastures.
Hart Country Meats was born thanks to Jessica and Tony’s desire to share their love for their beef with a greater audience. “As a farm wife and stay-at-home mom of four with an entrepreneurial spirit, I was intrigued with the farm-to-table concept,” explains Jessica. “We enjoyed our farm-raised beef, along with several others who purchased quarters from us. From there I ventured into local farmers markets with our kids in tow with a pickup full of tables, baked goods and coolers of our farm-raised beef and pork.”
As Tony transitioned into farming full time, the Heiden Family was ever more curious about the health of their soil. “We have made a vested 
effort to learn as much as possible about nutrients and what is needed to grow the very best crops. In turn those crops go to feeding our cattle. In turn again, we can taste the difference in the end product…our beef,” shares Jessica. “It’s a full circle.”
The experience of having their family of six work together has been an especially rich piece of the journey. Observing how their four kids have learned right along with their parents has been enriching. Ranging from fourth grade through college, the kids have all gained knowledge about self employment, farming, and the highs and lows of the farming journey.
The connections made with customers, other producers, processors and supporters have been a great joy of the business. “It’s such a privilege when a customer truly becomes a friend,” smiles Jessica. “I think it comes down to the fact that people enjoy knowing where their food comes from. When you’re willing to open up, there’s an automatic bond of people sharing their stories and what your product and process mean to them.”
It Starts With The Soil
Jessica’s biggest surprise in their family farming business is the exploration and learning involved in making their business thrive. “The more you 
learn, the less you know. Pick any subject,” reflects Jessica. “As you gain more information and understanding, you become increasingly aware of how much you don’t know and how much more said subject is connected to something else. Never stop learning!”
That education piece allows Jessica to be a representative and advocate of agriculture. “I especially want people to know that each cut of beef, each pound of hamburger is a long time in the making.” Your hamburger patty starts with the soil. The better the soil conditions, the more nutritionally dense the corn, grasses, and hay that feed the cattle.
The cattle themselves take time. “Getting the right balance of genetics can take years to build into the herd. Breeding is never 100% guaranteed, but once a calf is on the ground after a nine month gestation, there is a lot that goes into raising that calf to finish,” says Jessica. “It’s a long, tedious, but exciting process that involves a lot of chemistry, biology, mechanics, hard work and education.”
The Heiden Family invites customers to come see the farm, to get to know their processes, to share in their journey to improve their soil and care for the animals that thrive on the land. “We’re always going to be transparent about our processes and our animals. We’re proud of what we do and love to share that with others,” shares Jessica. “Come on down and pick out your own quarter. We’d love to have you.”
Connect with Hart Country Meats
Since loading up that first pickup bound for the farmers market, Hart Country Meats now ships nationally through The Meatery MN and has their products available both on their farm and at
select local retailers. Look for their products when you attend a Rochester Honkers game in the summer.
Visit https://hartcountrymeats.com for information on beef and pork shares. Shop https://themeaterymn.com/collections/hart-country-meats to have rich Black Angus cuts shipped to your door.
Follow Hart Country Meats on Facebook and Instagram.
Hart Country Meats is one of three producers participating in the March 8 Taste Makers class at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Discuss the importance of cattle feed in raising beef and why Hart Country Meats grows their own feed and dedicates family resources to education about their farming operation. Register through the Arboretum Website.
Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the small business owners leading Minnesota on a tasty sustainable path forward. Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.
