The Market at TRM

(Photo Credit: Phil Pyle, PyleStyle Photography)

BY JESSIE SHOOK

Randa Starnes, owner and manager of the Tennessee River Music Cattle Ranch, has always dreamed of bringing families homegrown, healthy beef. As a second-generation cattle rancher, this is the same beef her family has been enjoying for years.

TRM is a purebred seedstock operation with the goal of producing sound, functional cattle that can perform in the Southeast and all over the country. After selling steers in the past for people to use as freezer beef and with interest in individual retail cuts, Randa and her husband John decided to take the next step and be able to sell retail cuts right from the farm. In May 2019, they opened a market on their farm called The Market at TRM.

“The Market at TRM was created as a way to share our locally sourced beef with the community,” Starnes said. “I love the idea of The Market being actually right on the farm. People love driving up and seeing cattle grazing all around.”

Starnes said that The Market truly has a unique and authentic feel that is something consumers cannot find at the grocery store. “We sell various cuts of beef, along with locally grown pork, canned jams, jellies and The Market souvenirs,” Starnes said.

As a faithful customer of their local Co-op, Starnes is also selling ground beef and other cuts at Dekalb Farmers Cooperative in Rainsville, Alabama.

“I am really excited to have TRM’s beef in our Coop,” said Andrea Crain, store manager of Dekalb Farmers Cooperative. “It’s awesome to know that the products we supply are helping feed these animals.”

Randa Starnes, husband John Starnes, daughter Harper Rose (6) and son John Owen (3). The Market at TRM was voted one of the best of Dekalb 2020. (Photo Credit: Tricia Dunn, The Times Journal, Fort Payne)

Randa Starnes with her family, husband John Starnes, daughter Harper Rose and son John Owen. (Photo Credit: Kayla Cobb, KC Photography)

TRM cattle are grass-fed and finished on grain.

Starnes expressed how she loves to shop at the Co-op because of how they supply products she is unable to find in most stores. “The Co-op would probably be our most used store for ranch purchases mainly because they are so geared toward the producer and how to better serve and help us,” Starnes said.

The Market at TRM has also connected the cattle to come back home to her family’s ranch. ranch with the community. Starnes expressed that one “I’m very fortunate to have a place to come back of her favorite aspects of having The Market is meetto and call home,” Starnes said. “My husband, John, ing new people in the community, who she would have never had the chance to meet otherwise.

“We sit and visit while picking out the beef,” Starnes said. “I feel as though I have truly gotten to know so many wonderful people in our community and visit with old friends as well.”

Starnes also recognizes the importance of shopping locally in her community. “It’s food for the soul!” exclaimed Starnes. “Seriously, shopping local to me is so important because I know how much time, effort and money goes into having your own small business, and when someone shops with you, it just simply means more! That’s what makes it all worth it,” Starnes continued. “These are people I have grown up with and have known most of my life, so I want to see them succeed!”

The Market sells various cuts of beef, along with locally grown pork, canned jams/jellies and The Market souvenirs. (Photo Credit: Phil Pyle, PyleStyle Photography)

Randa and her daughter, Harper Rose, wearing some of The Market merchandise that is for sale at The Market. (Photo Credit: Phil Pyle, PyleStyle Photography)

Starnes’ parents started the ranch back in 1981. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and her Masters of Agriculture in Animal Welfare from Auburn University, Starnes knew she wanted to come back home to her family’s ranch.

“I’m very fortunate to have a place to come back to and call home,” Starnes said. “My husband, John, and I knew this is what we wanted to do and where we wanted to raise our family.”

Starnes has continued to use her education to drive her beliefs within her business as well. “Being in animal agriculture, we know firsthand that we are the caretakers of our animals and stewards of our land,” Starnes said. “I strongly believe the key to quality meat is comfortable, respected and humanely raised animals, and those high-quality animals yield a high-quality product.”

Starnes added that they believe in all aspects of the cattle industry and they admire and respect the versatility of the beef animal in all that it provides. “We appreciate the opportunity to join families at the dinner table and appreciate the support and trust from them,” Starnes said. “We love to hear how much people are loving the quality of the beef, because it makes all of the long hours on the ranch completely worth it!”

Starnes and her family have big plans for expanding The Market in the future. “We have had a tremendous year with so much support and success,” Starnes said. “We have plans to have a larger on-farm market with even more to offer our local community.” To see more from Randa and The Market, follow her on instagram @randastarnes

TRM has Hereford and Angus seedstock, and also a large herd of commercial cattle. (Photo Credit: Phil Pyle, PyleStyle Photography)