Why CARE Certified Beef Matters: The Story Behind Ribbonwire Ranch Organic Beef Sticks

Consumers today want more than just a convenient snack. They want to know where their food comes from, how it was produced, and whether the people behind it share their values. That's especially true when it comes to beef products.

At Ribbonwire Ranch, every beef stick tells a story of responsible ranching, animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and complete transparency. As the first and only USDA Organic beef sticks available in major retail stores, Ribbonwire Ranch is setting a new standard for what consumers can expect from a premium beef snack.

One of the key reasons? Their commitment to CARE Certified standards.

What Is CARE Certified?

CARE Certified is a third-party verified animal welfare and sustainability program designed specifically for livestock producers. The certification verifies that ranchers follow rigorous standards focused on animal care, responsible land management, and continuous improvement.

For consumers, CARE Certified offers something increasingly valuable: confidence.

Instead of relying on marketing claims alone, shoppers can trust that an independent third party has verified how the animals are raised and cared for.

What CARE Certified Means at Ribbonwire Ranch

According to Ribbonwire Ranch co-owner Chad Schoonover, CARE Certified reflects the ranch's dedication to going above and beyond standard production practices.

"Being CARE Certified means the animals are raised by producers who go the extra mile," says Schoonover. "Cattle are raised in open native and improved grass pastures. Low-stress handling techniques are utilized, and animal welfare is the utmost priority."

This commitment begins long before the beef reaches a store shelf. Ribbonwire cattle spend their lives in open pastures where they can express natural behaviors while being managed with low-stress handling practices designed to reduce anxiety and improve overall animal well-being.

For consumers seeking animal welfare certified beef, CARE Certified provides assurance that the ranch's practices have been independently verified.

Why Traceability Matters More Than Ever

Many beef snacks on the market source ingredients from multiple suppliers, making it difficult for consumers to know exactly where their food originated.

Ribbonwire Ranch takes a different approach.

Their vertically integrated operation provides complete traceability from ranch to retail. Consumers can confidently know where their beef sticks come from, how the cattle were raised, and what they were fed.

"Consumers should have the option to buy products with a story behind them," Schoonover explains. "The ability to buy a product and know where it was raised, how it was raised, and what it was fed without all the smoke, mirrors, and marketing."

This level of transparency is increasingly important for shoppers looking for clean-label, responsibly raised beef products.

Caring for the Land for Future Generations

CARE Certified isn't only about animal welfare. It also recognizes responsible stewardship of natural resources.

At Ribbonwire Ranch, sustainability is built into every decision.

"Our goal is to leave things better than we found them," says Schoonover. "We aren't going anywhere, so every decision we make, we have tomorrow in mind."

The ranch focuses on protecting natural resources, utilizing organic production practices, and maintaining healthy grazing lands that support both cattle and wildlife. This long-term mindset helps ensure the land remains productive for future generations.

For families looking to support sustainable agriculture, choosing products from ranches committed to responsible stewardship can make a meaningful difference.

From Family Ranch to National Retail Success

Ribbonwire Ranch began in 2008 when Chad Schoonover and Doug Lathem combined their family cattle operations.

Initially, the goal was simple: survive a challenging cattle market. But as the operation grew, so did a vision to create something unique.

After Doug began farming organically in 2011, the partners recognized an opportunity to build a premium organic beef program unlike anything else available in the United States.

By 2015, they had certified all ranchland as organic and began building their organic cow herd. In 2020, they started shipping frozen beef directly to consumers nationwide.

The next milestone came in 2024 when Ribbonwire Ranch launched premium USDA Organic beef into retail stores, including Wegmans locations throughout New York.

Soon after came their newest innovation: USDA Organic beef sticks that are now available in more than 4,000 retail locations across the country.

Today, Ribbonwire Ranch remains family-owned, family-operated, and committed to producing beef entirely born, raised, and harvested in the United States.

What Makes Ribbonwire Ranch Beef Sticks Different?

When consumers compare beef snack options, Ribbonwire Ranch stands apart for several reasons:

USDA Organic Certified

Ribbonwire Ranch offers the first and only USDA Organic beef sticks available in major retail stores.

CARE Certified

Independent third-party verification confirms animal welfare and responsible ranching practices.

100% USA Raised

All cattle are born, raised, and harvested in the United States.

Complete Traceability

Consumers can trace the story behind their food from ranch to retail.

Family-Owned and Operated

The ranch remains rooted in family values and long-term stewardship.

Premium Flavor Options

Consumers can choose from four delicious varieties:

• Original Organic Beef Stick

• Sweet & Spicy

• Honey BBQ

• Jalapeño

Why Supporting Ranchers Matters

One thing Schoonover wishes more consumers understood is the amount of effort required to bring a premium beef product from pasture to store shelf.

"The effort required to get a product from the ranch to retail and why supporting local farms and producers is so important."

Every Ribbonwire Ranch beef stick represents years of commitment to animal welfare, sustainable land management, organic production practices, and food transparency.

For consumers seeking a snack they can feel good about, CARE Certified Organic Beef Sticks offer more than protein. They offer confidence in every bite.

Experience the Difference

When you choose Ribbonwire Ranch Organic Beef Sticks, you're choosing more than a convenient snack. You're supporting a family-owned ranch committed to animal welfare, responsible land stewardship, complete traceability, and independently verified CARE Certified standards.

That's a difference you can taste and trust.

You can find Ribbonwire Beef Sticks at Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Sheetz, Amazon or their online store.