Our Story
Hardways Ranch is more than a ranch — it’s the heart of our family.
We are the Geddes family: Joel and Jes, married for 22 wonderful years, raising two teenage boys in California. Joel grew up in the country near Oakdale, and Jes was raised in the produce capital of California, the Salinas Valley. We always knew we wanted to raise our boys in the country, where they could grow up “country strong” — learning hard work, responsibility, and respect for the land.
In 2015 we started Hardways Ranch as a passion project that quickly grew into a way of life. We do things the hard way — not by choice, but because we’re learning as we go. We often joke that we should have named it “Shit Show Ranch” because so many lessons came from mistakes and figuring things out on the fly. That unintentional “hard way” mindset has become part of who we are and has served us well.
Today we manage a small herd of about 30 Wagyu-Angus cross cattle across four pastures, some nestled in the foothills of Copperopolis, California. We personally oversee every step — from breeding and daily care to the final butchering. We raise our cattle the old-fashioned way: no shortcuts, no added hormones, and with the time it takes for them to develop that rich, natural marbling and exceptional flavor.
Our boys are right there with us. Rain or shine, they’re up early feeding cattle before football practice and school. Handling cattle is real, honest work — the kind that builds character and sometimes tests your patience. We even have a family saying: “I’m sorry for what I said while we were working cows,” and we’re quick to ask for God’s forgiveness for the words that come out under pressure. Those moments, the laughter that follows, and the satisfaction of a job well done are what make this ranch special.
Right now we are able to offer only about 16 half-beef shares per year. We are slowly and thoughtfully growing the herd so we can serve more families who want our beef. Even with that limited supply, we currently have a waiting list with wait times over a year. We’d love to be able to get great beef to people sooner — that’s one of the reasons we’re expanding carefully while still keeping the same high standards.
Customers consistently tell us it’s the best beef they’ve ever tasted — juicy, deeply flavorful, and unlike anything they can find in stores. That feedback means the world to us and keeps us motivated to grow the right way.
Raising cattle while running other businesses keeps our family grounded. It reminds us daily of the satisfaction that comes from honest work, patience, and caring for animals. These lessons are the real harvest of Hardways Ranch.
Whether you’re feeding your family or looking for something special to share with friends, we’re honored when you choose our beef. It comes from our pastures, our hard work, our mistakes-turned-lessons, and our family table — straight to yours.
Thank you for visiting Hardways Ranch. We look forward to sharing our beef — and a little piece of our story — with you.
— The Geddes Family Joel, Jes, and the boys
Hardways Ranch, California
