Hidden Gems: Meet Chris Kovac of River Watch Beef

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Kovac.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
My grandparents had a small farm in Wyandotte County (KS), and my dad and I spent much time there (with fond memories). So, we always had a ‘bug’ for the outdoors. (that farm is still in the family) In 2007, my Dad (Pete) bought a small ranch in south-eastern Colorado with the idea he would retire there. It needed a lot of repairs, and we worked to fix up the house, fences, and so on. Around that time, we started raising 100% natural, pasture-raised beef. During vacations and time off, I would help my dad and our neighbors and friends take care of the cattle herd. The more time I spent with the hard-working cowboys helping us, the more I loved it. Early on, we gave some steaks and ground beef to a friend, who was the owner of the Famous Savoy restaurant in downtown KC; he said it was some of the best beef he’d ever had, which sparked an idea.

We’d process a few more animals for family and friends each year. They would share beef with their family and friends, and people loved it. Folks started asking if they could purchase some of our beef, and in 2016 I began River Watch Beef to sell our premium beef direct to the consumer. I sold my house downtown to fund this business. My background is in the adverting agency and technology business, so going from a desk to the pasture was a big change!

Unfortunately, my dad got sick, and we sold the ranch in Colorado in 2020. We relocated to a smaller ranch in the historic Flint Hills of central Kansas. We are still raising top-quality beef, focusing on Angus and Hereford cattle. Our beef is raised differently than most store-bought beef. We raise 100% natural grass-fed and grass-finished beef—no additives, hormones, antibiotics, or GMOs. Our beef is then dry-aged to perfection. We offer the same cuts you’ll find at the local butcher. Grass-fed beef is a healthier alternative vs. most store-bought beef: lower fat, lower cholesterol, a good source of Omega-3s and antioxidants, and full of minerals (zinc, iron, selenium). Naturally-raised beef is sustainable and much better for the environment than beef raised in a dirty feedlot (the vast majority).

We’ve been featured as a KC Chamber Small Business Superstar, mentioned in several media publications, and also in a KC-based reality/documentary show. Our beef has been on the Menu of Le Fou Frog, E40 Brewing, the Cafe @ Colonial Gardens, and another well-known KC establishment. We’re doing deliveries only and hope to open a store later this year in Shawnee, KS. We also ship to many states across the US—100% 5 Star reviews on Facebook, Google, and Yelp.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Raising animals that top 1200 lb is dangerous, and the injury rate is 100%. If you don’t love it, then you wouldn’t do it. Covid caused many supply chain issues, and they still reverberate. The beef processors/packers are running 12+ months behind (still), costs have skyrocketed (trucking, cold storage, etc.), shortage of workers across the board; many family producers have gone out of business or gotten out of the beef business. The drought in Kansas was tough last summer, fall, and winter. The grass didn’t grow as much, and the animals weighed less. It’s been hard to ‘get the word out’ with foreign companies marketing grass-fed beef. There is rampant mislabeling and other practices that harm small producers like us. My dad’s illness has caused us to ‘rethink’ how we go forward and keep this dream alive. It’s hard to be a small family business these days.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about River Watch Beef?
We focus on producing the highest quality, all-natural grass-fed beef and delivering it directly to our customer’s doors (like Shatto Milk). We provide access to high-quality food where customers know exactly where it comes from and how it’s produced. We deliver to folks that live in food desserts and cannot shop at a traditional store.

We’re family-centric, and our partners are also family-owned businesses. We produce the beef we sell, but looking to expand and partner with other local Kansas/Missouri producers. It takes about 35 people to take the animal from the pasture and deliver it to your dinner plate.

We’re known for our customer service, quality, and reasonable prices. We have a variety of cuts (steaks, roasts, ground beef, and more) and offer subscription packages so customers can get meat delivered on their schedule. Lastly, we’re committed to sustainability – from the practices, we use on our farm to the packaging we use in delivery.

Our goal is to provide access to high-quality food while still being able to maintain a personal connection with our customers. We understand not everyone can shop at a traditional store; that’s where we come in. We want to ensure customers in KC (and nationwide) have access to healthy and delicious foods at affordable prices.

We dry-aged our beef perfectly, like fine dining restaurants (at 1/3 of the price). I’d take the ‘Pepsi Challenge’ with other competitors. We’ve been featured as a KC Chamber Small Business Superstar (2022, 2023), mentioned in several media publications, and also in a KC-based reality/documentary show. Our beef has been on the Menu of Le Fou Frog, E40 Brewing, the Cafe @ Colonial Gardens, and another well-known KC establishment—100% 5-star reviews on FB, Google, and Yelp. We have also won 2nd and 3rd at the International Flavor Awards for our ‘almost famous’ beef jerky.

What do you think about luck?
We’ve had good luck and bad. Our good luck has been with our friends and neighbors, that have helped us work to fulfill our dreams. We’ve been lucky to be a part of BetaBlox (a KC business incubator) and part of a pilot for a reality show (now The Blox). Covid and related challenges have made it difficult to keep going. This is a more complicated subject, and some experiences are hard to describe. I am happy to share more.

Pricing:

• Grass Fed Beef Club
• Grass Fed Beef Packages
• Grass Fed Beef Cuts
• Grass Fed Beef Jerky
• Grass Fed Beef Summer Sausage

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riverwatchbeef.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverwatchbeef/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverwatchbeef
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riverwatchbeef
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/riverwatchbeef
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@riverwatchbeef2443
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/river-watch-beef-shawnee

Image Credits
Chris Kovac