About Us
Five Generations Strong
Bear Creek Meats & More is the product of nearly a century of dedication, grit, and family. In 1929, Ida and Walter Hayes settled this land and began a tradition of raising livestock and caring deeply for the soil beneath their feet. Their adopted nephew, Hubert Ryan, carried that legacy forward with his wife, Hazel. Their son, Arch Ryan, was born near the banks of Bear Creek and enrolled in cradle roll at Bear Creek Baptist Church in 1939.
Arch married Meredith, and together they continued building a life rooted in hard work and respect for the land. Their son, Jeff, spent many Sunday afternoons with his cousins swinging from a tree swing over the frigid waters of Bear Creek Springs while still wearing his Sunday best. Jeff married Melissa and raised two children, Brenna and Britt, who learned to love fishing, swimming, and crawdad catching in the Bear Creek Springs waters. Brenna and her husband, John, intend to carry on the family tradition and raise the next generation of farmers creekside.
Today, Bear Creek Meats and More is stewarded by Jeff Ryan and his mother, Meredith, who work the land daily and continue the rhythms set in motion generations ago. Brenna works alongside them, managing business operations and helping share the farm story with the wider world.
Together, we represent three active generations, with a fourth learning alongside us. We raise premium pasture-raised Black Angus cattle using rotational grazing, sustainable practices, and zero hormones or antibiotics. Our focus is on genetics, animal welfare, and preserving the land for future generations. At Bear Creek, we don’t just raise beef—we raise it with intention, integrity, and care.
Meet The Farmers
Meredith Ryan
Generation 3
Jeff Ryan
Generation 4
Brenna Brust
Generation 5