President Donald Trump eased tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef imported into the United States in an attempt to reduce beef prices for Americans, a move that has left Tennessee beef producers "frustrated."
Trump took to Truth Social on Aug. 21 to announce the news, saying he reached a deal with foreign ground beef exporters to sell their product at a 25% discount in exchange for not paying U.S. out-of-quota tariffs on foreign beef.
Domestic beef producers and organizations have criticized the move extensively, saying it will impact beef producers and hinder the growth of America's herd. The Tennessee Farm Bureau (TFB), the state's largest farm advocacy organization, agrees.
“Tennessee beef producers are frustrated by President
Trump’s announcement yesterday regarding beef imports,” said TFB president Eric Mayberry in an official statement released on Aug. 22.
"Tennessee cattle producers understand the importance of affordable prices, but rebuilding the US cattle herd takes time. Making short-term, quick responses to long-term challenges will hurt Tennessee cattle producers, especially during a time when strong prices for beef are the sole bright spot of the US agricultural economy."
The Tennessee Cattlemen's Association also released a statement expressing its disdain forTrump's decision.
"Increasing imports of government-subsidized, below-market beef risks weakening producer confidence at the very time we need cattlemen investing in herd expansion," TCA's Executive Vice President Dale Parker said.
If you're looking to support local beef producers amid the influx of foreign beef, here are 10 Middle Tennessee farms you can buy beef from.
Boatman's Farm, Thompson's Station, Tennessee
Boatman's Farm is a Williamson County beef operation in Thompson's Station that raises USDA inspected Angus cattle, which are finished on a corn and distillers-grain diet.
Customers can purchase through the farm's online store, arrange local delivery throughout Middle Tennessee, or pick up orders at the farm located at 5721 Carters Creek Pike in Thompson's Station.
Five Oaks Farm, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Founded in 1993, Five Oaks Farm in Shelbyville raises purebred Santa Gertrudis Cattle, Hereford, Angus and Red Angus breeds. Customers can purchase individual cuts of beef, and at times whole, half or quarter beef shares through the farm's online store.
Five Oaks encourages customers to shop online and arrange pickup through the farm, which is located at 819 Gant Road in Shelbyville.
Caney Fork Farms, Lebanon, Tennessee
Caney Fork Farms is a 400-acre regenerative organic farm in Lebanon that raises 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised beef. Customers can buy beef through the farm's online store and pick up orders at partner locations across Middle Tennessee, including a Nashville pickup site at Sage Refill in the 12 South neighborhood on Tuesdays.
People can also subscribe to receive beef and other farm products, which allows them to pick up orders at locations throughout Middle Tennessee.
Crossing Creeks Farms, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Crossing Creeks Farms, located in Shelbyville, is another regenerative farm that raises South Poll grass cattle and produces 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef.
Customers can buy beef at the farm store at 221 Eady Road in Shelbyville or place orders online for pickup. Beef orders can be picked up during farm store hours, which are Wednesday through Friday from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm.
Southern Ridge, Columbia, Tennessee
Southern Ridge is a Columbia-based livestock operation that has built its reputation on raising grass-fed and other pasture-raised animals through its own facility and local food system.
Those wanting to buy beef from the farm can pick up orders at The Ridge Butcher Shop & Fresh Market in downtown Columbia. Many of the farm's products are available for same-day pickup if ordered online.
Rocky Glade Farm, Eagleville, Tennessee
Rocky Glade Farm is a 28-year-old family farm in Eagleville that raises grass-fed beef alongside other farm products.
Beef can be ordered online or picked up directly from the farm located at 2397 Rock Glade Road in Eagleville. The farm sells grass-fed beef in a variety of portion sizes.
Chapman Land and Cattle, Nunnelly, Tennessee
Chapman Land & Cattle is a family-owned ranch in Nunnelly that specializes in raising high-quality Hereford cattle. The cattle are free-range Herefords that graze pasture and are supplemented with grain and hormone-free forage.
Customers can purchase beef by the quarter, half or whole and pick it up directly at the ranch at 2090 Old Airport Road in Nunnelly.
Church Farm Beef, Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee
Family-owned and founded in 1953, Church Farms raises Angus and Angus-Hereford cross cattle on its 125-acre farm near Cross Bridges in Maury County.
Beef is available for pickup directly from the farm at 4077 Rippey Lake Road in Mt. Pleasant, where the family now offers individual cuts in addition to quarter, half, and whole beef shares.
Tennessee Grass Fed Farms, Clarksville, Tennessee
Established in Clarksville in 1837, Tennessee Grass Fed Farms is nearly 190 years old. Offering both 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, the farm also raises pork and chicken.
Beef can be picked up at the farm store located at 335 Williams Road in Clarksville or ordered online for pickup. Customers can choose from several pickup locations in the Clarksville area or have it delivered.
Jordan Family Farms, Caney Spring, Tennessee
Founded in 1940, Jordan Family Farms is an 86-year-old, fifth-generation cattle farm in Caney Spring that is beef-focused and uses sustainable and regenerative grazing practices.
Customers are able to order whole, half or individual-cut beef packages and can pick up their orders at designated pickup locations. They can also receive deliveries in Spring Hill, Chapel Hill and Columbia.
Why did Trump ease tariffs on imported beef?
The U.S. cattle herd has experienced downsizing following years of drought that burned up grazing lands and increased the cost of feed, reported USA TODAY.
The low U.S. cattle stock drove up beef prices by over 122% in the last five years, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
In his Truth Social post, Trump said the easing of imported beef tariffs would lower costs while U.S. ranchers rebuild their herds.
"Today, I concluded a deal to substantially lower the price of ground beef for working American families. As everyone knows, under President Biden, beef prices soared at their fastest rate and the American beef herd fell to its smallest size in modern history," Trump's post said.
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 10 Middle Tennessee farms selling local beef amid Trump import push
