When Hannah Esch entered college, she developed a love of cows, an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to dig. , Oak Barn Beef, as a sophomore in 2018.
Although the learning curve was steep at first, Hannah never hesitated to figure out how to price, sell, store and ship meat to customers across the country. During her first few years, Hannah sourced cattle from her parents’ business in Unadilla, Nebraska, worked with custom processors to ship subscription boxes of dry-aged beef, and raised cows from the farm’s retired barn. We sell meat directly. The head office of Oak Barn Beef.
In 2021, Hannah married Eric Esch and moved the business to West Point, Nebraska. The move brought new opportunities. In 2022, Eric and Hannah renovated buildings in town, including freezers, warehouses, offices and stores. In late 2022, the couple welcomed their own little farmer. After a months-long renovation process, Eschs is hosting his The Barn grand opening celebration in late January 2023. The expanded space will allow her to continue to expand her ordering capacity, most recently loading two of her UPS trucks with her 200+ boxes. (Fun fact: Hannah ships beef to all 50 states every year while she’s running her business.)
Hannah is an inspiration. Her journey is a reminder to pursue what she wants with her passion and drive. She started her business as a college student. It hasn’t always been easy, but Oakburn’s determination to make her beef a success over the long term has never wavered.
Farm Journal partners with FarmHer to bring you stories of strong, smart, talented women who love their land, care for their communities, and feed their people. Meet other FarmHers here.
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