Ron Winters: The Master of Seacross Markets and Marketing

Ron Winters has been a critical cog at Seacross for many years now, so we felt it was time to introduce him to our community! We were lucky enough to meet Ron through his wonderful wife Lisa, who worked at the ranch for over 10 years. Ron has an extensive business and marketing background, and he has become an invaluable asset in marketing and selling our beef. We are so grateful to have him!

After working for Marriott Hotels in marketing, Ron eventually retired but couldn’t stay idle for long, so he began teaching high school math and science classes. He still works as a substitute teacher, which keeps him busy when he’s not marketing our beef. Ron lives in Sheridan, but on the weekends he either helps out at the ranch or is off to local farmer’s markets to sell beef. 

When he first joined our team, he helped us write a business plan, build the website, and put together newspaper ads. But as he says, “Going to farmer’s markets, telling our story, showing pictures and connecting with people, that’s how you sell beef. Many people stop by and want to learn more about the ranch.” Currently Ron runs booths at markets in Billings, Sheridan, and Gillette, and hopes to expand into Powell and Hardin (which we love, but we’re not sure how he can be in so many places at one time!?) 

One thing he really loves about the markets is the conversations he gets to share with people. “There’s a diverse mix of people from all over the country who happen to be in town that weekend or for the summer. It is an incredible opportunity to get them thinking about where their meat comes from,” he says. He loves sharing photos of the cattle, showing them eating fresh grass, drinking fresh water, and living under the clear Montana skies. He reminds customers that this is how meat should be raised– not by foreign owned corporate operations and mass transported to slaughterhouses. 

Ron walks the talk when it comes to eating sustainably-raised, local animals. “All we eat is Seacross beef!” he laughs. His favorite cut is the tenderloin, but a nice filet or a roast is also often on the menu at their house. “Without chemicals added into the meat, and the ethical and humane on-site harvesting, Seacross is the future of beef. Cattle operations will have to be sustainable because consumers will demand it,” he notes.  

Beyond the markets, Ron continues to manage all of our print advertising. He designs ads for a number of local newspapers, including the Billings Gazette and Country Bounty, and occasionally puts together radio ads. In short, Ron Winters gets the good word about Seacross beef out in the community and onto tables. He also helps with inventory and branding. What doesn’t he do, really?!

He wouldn’t let us wrap this up without a mention about the pigs, (and maybe another blog on this soon)! Seacross raises heritage breed Mule Foot pigs, and harvests 2-3 per season, sometimes more. This breed, originally from South and Central America, is a healthy and robust purebred pig. We have combined herds with our neighbors, and it has been an amazing new extension of our happy animal family. The pork is a big seller at the markets as well.

Ron and Lisa have been such incredible assets to Seacross, and we are so grateful for their contributions to the ranch. We look forward to continuing to expand our reach in this little pocket of Montana. And if you happen to see Ron at a market this summer, stop by and say hi! Who knows, you might just walk home with a cut of the best beef you’ve ever tasted.

Thanks for reading and happy eating!