Here’s the weekly roundup from Watson Farms and your direct connection to your farmer. Enjoy the latest edition of Pasture Posts!
Dinner at the Farm and Meeting the “Tetris Master” 📦
Last night, the lights stayed on a little later at the farm, but for a very different reason than usual. Our team gathered together for a Team Member Dinner—a chance for us to step away from the daily bustle of the fulfillment room, the pastures, and the store to simply enjoy each other’s company.
It was a full house! Kelly and I were joined by our parents, Alan and Kathy and Gary and June, along with Jay and his wife, our fulfillment manager Daniel and his wife, and Melody (who you likely recognize from the store and our social media) and her husband. We traded our work boots for a seat at the table to share a Greek-inspired feast: Greek chicken, lemon dill rice, a fresh Greek salad, hummus with naan, plenty of Tzatziki, and a light lemon mousse to finish it off.
These moments of fellowship are what make Watson Farms feel like a family, and it’s that same spirit of community we strive to pass along to you in every order we ship.
Speaking of the team, today we are officially launching our Employee Spotlight series! We want to introduce you to the hardworking folks who make sure your steaks, chicken, and pork arrive frozen, secure, and ready for your family dinner.
First up is a face (and a set of hands) many of you have benefited from over the last seven months: Jay Franklin, our Fulfillment Specialist. We sat down with Jay to get the “inside scoop” on what it’s like to manage thousands of pounds of meat and why he treats every box like it’s heading to his own family.
The Basics
- Name: Jay Franklin
- Job Title: Order Fulfillment Specialist
- Time at Watson Farms: 7 Months
Behind the Scenes: The Freezer & The Fulfillment Room
Q: Restock Day is intense. You’re part of the crew unloading the truck when the meat comes back from the processor. What is the most satisfying part of “Unloading Day”? Jay: The most satisfying part is definitely when that final box gets placed in the freezer. It’s a lot of heavy lifting, but seeing it all organized and ready for our customers is a great feeling.
Q: You spend a lot of time in the freezer organizing inventory. It’s freezing in there! How do you stay warm, and how do you keep it all straight? Jay: In the summertime, a coat and gloves do the trick. Now that it’s winter, I’ve had to level up—I wear extra clothing and a jacket under my heavy coat! As for organization, we keep everything separated by animal and by specific cuts. We also use a rotation system based on the dates they were unloaded to ensure everything is as fresh as possible.
Q: With all the orders you pack, you have to be a Tetris Master. What goes through your mind as you’re packing a customer’s box? Jay: Honestly, I think about how good the customer is going to feel when they see that green Watson Farms logo on their doorstep. I think about all the steps it took to get here and do my best to fulfill the order perfectly. I even find myself imagining the types of meals they’ll cook with the specific cuts I’m packing.
The Inventory Expert: Jay’s Picks
Q: Since you see the meat right as it comes off the truck, which cut looks the most impressive to you in the package? Jay: The steaks. They always look incredible coming off the truck.
Q: What is a “Hidden Gem” in our freezer—a cut people might be overlooking? Jay: The Eye of Round. It’s delicious, and I think more people should give it a try!
Q: After a long day of lifting heavy boxes, what’s your favorite easy meal? Jay: Baked Italian Chicken. It’s simple and hits the spot.
Rapid Fire Fun
- Steak Preference: Well Done!
- Packing Soundtrack: Earn Your Leisure (EYL) Podcast and Napoleon Hill.
- The Biggest Order You’ve Seen: I remember one order that had two Half Beef Bundles plus a bunch of other items!
- If you could take home one entire case right now? A case of our Ground Beef.
“I like how it is family-owned and they make me feel a part of their family. I like how pretty often there is something always happening on the farm and I am able to learn new things from them.” — Jay Franklin
Product Spotlight: Jay’s “Hidden Gem” & Comfort Food Weather
With the weather finally set to cool off here in South Carolina after this unseasonably warm stretch, our minds are shifting back to slow-cookers and hearty Sunday dinners.
In his Q&A above, Jay mentioned that the Eye of Round is the most underrated “hidden gem” in our fulfillment room. He’s right! While the Chuck Roast is the go-to for a fall-apart pot roast, the Eye of Round is a lean, flavorful cut that is incredible when slow-roasted and sliced thin for pit-style roast beef sandwiches.
If you’re looking to stock up for the chilly days ahead, our Roasts and Burger Bundle is the perfect solution. It features a variety of our 100% grass-fed roasts (Chuck, Sirloin Tip, London Broil, and Bottom Round) along with 10 lbs. of our premium ground beef.
It’s the best way to keep your freezer prepped for everything from Tuesday night burgers to slow-cooked comfort meals.
Or if you’ve got something else on your mind use the button below to shop our entire collection!
We are lucky to have Jay’s attention to detail and his positive energy on the team. Next time you open a perfectly packed box of pastured meat, know that Jay likely had a hand in getting it to you!
Sincerely,
The Watson Farms Team
Check out this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review from Casey:
“Farm-fresh, local, healthily raised meats that are delicious, fresh, and delivered to our door at reasonable prices. Who could ask for more! … I have learned easy ways to roast their whole chickens that my family can eat off of for multiple meals. Because of the way they are raised, the chicken meat is creamier, softer, and more tender than store bought birds, and we are confident in what we are putting in our bodies with Watson Farm meats.”
We would greatly appreciate it if you would be kind enough to leave us a review. It helps first-time customers purchase with confidence.
Shipping Timeline and Store Hours
UPS Orders (all orders ship with insulation and dry ice):
UPS orders normally ship out on Mondays – Wednesdays.
Tracking: As usual, you will receive an automated email with a tracking link as soon as your order leaves the farm.
Farm Pickup (Always Free!):
If you are local, Farm Pickup is often the fastest way to get your products. Please wait until you receive an email stating that your order is Ready for Pickup (typically 1 business day after your order is placed) before heading over.
Farm Store & Pickup Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday: 10:00am – 2:00pm
- Wednesday & Sunday: Closed
Farm Store Address: 713 Colony Road, Chester, SC 29706
Tell a Friend!
It’s now easier than ever to Give $15 and Get $15 through our Referral Program. We don’t spend a lot of money of advertising, but rather we focus on producing products that people love and are willing to tell others about. So we depend on word of mouth to find new customers and ultimately to heal more land.
So in an effort to streamline this process we have made it easier to tell others (via email, Facebook, or Twitter) about Watson Farms. And it’s all automated on the backend, so you don’t have to rely on us to issue the store credits manually. Just head over to our Referrals Page and start sharing!
Thanks again for being partners in this endeavor of local, pasture-raised proteins that has truly transformed our farm. We look forward to continuing this transition while serving you long into the future.
Sincerely,
The Watsons
Pasture Posts is written and/or edited by Matt Watson.