The 90-second videos, shot at the Rittenhouse farm over the previous winter, are focused on showing consumers where their beef comes from and how it is raised. There are nine separate videos in the series, which is available on the Beef Council’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel at one released per week.
“We had a lot of fun and have enjoyed being chosen to represent this,” said Sasha Rittenhouse. “We’ve been able to communicate the good and not so good things (about cattle farming).”
The Rittenhouses were one of several families considered for the series.
“They were a great fit for us and our message,” said Emily Jackson, Director of Public Relations and Consumer Marketing for The Ohio Beef Council. “They are involved in leadership roles in our organizations and very active in social media.”
The series chronicled the challenges of raising cattle in the winter, all unscripted, at the family’s R Genetics Farm, which raises 145 head of brood cows and calves. None are dairy cows.
The incident that stood out most for Sasha Rittenhouse was when one of her heifers lost her calf, including trying to claim another calf as hers. But the story had a positive ending.
She said his was the message the Rittenhouses wanted to send.
“We wanted people to realize at the end of the day that we care for our animals, for their health, nutrition and well-being, dedicated to having a healthy product, beef and agriculture,” she said.
Jackson said the videos have exceeded the Beef Council’s expectations, garnering 300,000 views in the first four weeks they’ve been available.
The videos can be found at www.ohiobeef.org or
The Rittenhouses were a natural combination. Scott Rittenhouse’s family ran a cattle ranch in Champaign County and Sasha Rittenhouse, who lived in Clark County, raised heifers. They found each other through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and have been married 11 years.
Sasha Rittenhouse said it’s a challenge to be a farmer and full-time mom to Lara, age 8, Lexi, 5, and Rylan, 2, but rewarding. The videos help show the equal care they put into both their family and professional lives.
“I love having the kids experience this,” Sasha Rittenhouse said. “They may not go into agriculture, but they can appreciate the hard work and learning. At least they’ll have that background.”
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