Member Spotlight
Ben and Lauren Neale
Light Hill Meats
Columbia, Tennessee
Cattle have always been a part of Ben Neale’s life. There were more cows than people in the small Tennessee town where he grew up. He worked for agriculture businesses throughout his early career, then in 2011, Neale purchased his first set of cows. That same year, he participated in NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC).
“YCC gave me the opportunity to develop relationships with producers from all over the country,” Neale reflected. “The experience helped provide the foundation for where our business is today.”
YCC built Neale’s business foundation while his involvement in the Young Producers Council brought him and wife, Lauren, together.
“If it wasn't for NCBA, our family and business wouldn't exist!” Lauren said.
Ben was the chair of the Young Producers Council at the time and Lauren was working for the Montana Stockgrowers Association when they met during the annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Many of their first dates were video chats, but they would see each other in person during industry events across the country. Lauren made the move to Tennessee and the couple married in 2014.
In addition to raising cattle, the family owns and operates Light Hill Meats processing facility and retail store. They also open their farm for corporate events, weddings and tours. This farm-to-table concept gives the Neale family the freedom to spend time together and brings them closer to their community, which is a priority.
The Neales began their gate-to-plate journey by selling whole and half animals. When their local processing plant closed, Neale decided to purchase it and achieved federal inspection in 2018. When the pandemic hit, Ben and Lauren realized their community needed access to beef and they began selling retail-packaged cuts out of a freezer along the road. This new endeavor also literally opened doors. More than half of their county’s population is homebound. They would deliver meat orders and check on their neighbors at the same time.
Through planning and research, the couple confirmed what they already believed to be true, their area was ready for a brick-and-mortar meat store. That part of their dream came true in 2022. Their business has grown to include 17 employees, many of whom are looking for a fresh start. Whether substance abuse or trouble with the law, some have hit rock bottom and need a place to get their lives back on track.
“We live in a semi-distressed county that has its share of domestic violence and alcohol abuse,” Ben said. “We provide jobs to people who want a fresh start, and while we may not be their final employer, we hope to give them the skills they need to get back on their feet.”
While Ben manages the cattle part of the business, Lauren puts her marketing skills to work promoting the retail store. She also works part time as director of communications for the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association.
The couple works hard to manage their various business enterprises, and they do it together. They also focus on raising their four children, Corban (9), Abigail (7), Elizabeth (6) and Sarah (2). Daughters Abigail and Elizabeth are fixtures at the retail store, with Abigail helping at the register most Saturdays and both girls in charge of customer relations, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door.
Corban is non-verbal autistic, and his dietary needs have helped the Neales identify products to include in the store. Ben and Lauren have seen first-hand that improving Corban’s digestive health has helped him with many of the symptoms of autism, so they try to find more natural products with fewer preservatives.
Success has been a team effort, and Ben praises Tennessee for being such a business-friendly state. He has received a lot of help from his local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as Light Hill Meats has grown.
“We’ve built a great relationship with our local SBDC, and they have provided a lot of demographic data which helps us make decisions as our businesses expand,” Ben said. “We were especially honored to receive the U.S. Small Business Administration-Tennessee Rural Small Business of the Year Award.”
Ben worked full time off farm in addition to running the business early in their marriage, but extensive travel took him away from his family for too long. The couple appreciates the flexibility owning a business gives them to spend time with one another. That commitment to family extends to their growing community.
“While I enjoy working with cattle, I’ve found the community involvement to be most rewarding,” Ben said. “I’m making plans to expand our retail footprint, but at the same time I want to do even more to help my neighbors.”
“YCC gave me the opportunity to develop relationships with producers from all over the country,” Neale reflected. “The experience helped provide the foundation for where our business is today.”
YCC built Neale’s business foundation while his involvement in the Young Producers Council brought him and wife, Lauren, together.
“If it wasn't for NCBA, our family and business wouldn't exist!” Lauren said.
Ben was the chair of the Young Producers Council at the time and Lauren was working for the Montana Stockgrowers Association when they met during the annual Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Many of their first dates were video chats, but they would see each other in person during industry events across the country. Lauren made the move to Tennessee and the couple married in 2014.
In addition to raising cattle, the family owns and operates Light Hill Meats processing facility and retail store. They also open their farm for corporate events, weddings and tours. This farm-to-table concept gives the Neale family the freedom to spend time together and brings them closer to their community, which is a priority.
The Neales began their gate-to-plate journey by selling whole and half animals. When their local processing plant closed, Neale decided to purchase it and achieved federal inspection in 2018. When the pandemic hit, Ben and Lauren realized their community needed access to beef and they began selling retail-packaged cuts out of a freezer along the road. This new endeavor also literally opened doors. More than half of their county’s population is homebound. They would deliver meat orders and check on their neighbors at the same time.
Through planning and research, the couple confirmed what they already believed to be true, their area was ready for a brick-and-mortar meat store. That part of their dream came true in 2022. Their business has grown to include 17 employees, many of whom are looking for a fresh start. Whether substance abuse or trouble with the law, some have hit rock bottom and need a place to get their lives back on track.
“We live in a semi-distressed county that has its share of domestic violence and alcohol abuse,” Ben said. “We provide jobs to people who want a fresh start, and while we may not be their final employer, we hope to give them the skills they need to get back on their feet.”
While Ben manages the cattle part of the business, Lauren puts her marketing skills to work promoting the retail store. She also works part time as director of communications for the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association.
The couple works hard to manage their various business enterprises, and they do it together. They also focus on raising their four children, Corban (9), Abigail (7), Elizabeth (6) and Sarah (2). Daughters Abigail and Elizabeth are fixtures at the retail store, with Abigail helping at the register most Saturdays and both girls in charge of customer relations, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone who walks through the door.
Corban is non-verbal autistic, and his dietary needs have helped the Neales identify products to include in the store. Ben and Lauren have seen first-hand that improving Corban’s digestive health has helped him with many of the symptoms of autism, so they try to find more natural products with fewer preservatives.
Success has been a team effort, and Ben praises Tennessee for being such a business-friendly state. He has received a lot of help from his local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as Light Hill Meats has grown.
“We’ve built a great relationship with our local SBDC, and they have provided a lot of demographic data which helps us make decisions as our businesses expand,” Ben said. “We were especially honored to receive the U.S. Small Business Administration-Tennessee Rural Small Business of the Year Award.”
Ben worked full time off farm in addition to running the business early in their marriage, but extensive travel took him away from his family for too long. The couple appreciates the flexibility owning a business gives them to spend time with one another. That commitment to family extends to their growing community.
“While I enjoy working with cattle, I’ve found the community involvement to be most rewarding,” Ben said. “I’m making plans to expand our retail footprint, but at the same time I want to do even more to help my neighbors.”
