MEET THE FAMILY
Bryan & Krista Harris
We married in 2009, and at the time, we both worked for Don, Bryan’s dad, at his buying station. Don had to close the doors in 2011 due to a cancer diagnosis, and we were left with a six-month-old baby, a mortgage, and no jobs. Needless to say, we were highly motivated! In 2012, with the help of Krista’s stepdad, Jerry Callan, as co-signer, we opened the buying station with a $50,000 line of credit and not a penny to our names. With Krista handling finances and Bryan handling operations, we worked day and night, holidays, and birthdays to stay above water. We gave it everything we had, making plenty of mistakes along the way, but learning from every one of them.
A few years later, Krista was promoted to stay-at-home mom while Bryan ran the buying station. During this time, dairy after dairy went under, and we vividly understood the importance of our business, both to our community and to our family’s legacy. It was time to make some big changes.
Bryan hired mentors to help him improve business practices and optimize the buying station – and it worked. Today, we have two fully running businesses: Harris Cattle Buyers and Harris Transport. And for our next exciting step, we are gearing up to launch Harris Premium Beef on September 30, 2024!
We are motivated by so much more than just work. We are passionate about animals and the gifts they are to us. We enjoy slower-paced country living and giving back to our community. And, first and foremost, we love participating in a movement far beyond ourselves that positively impacts the world. We want people to experience what health can look and feel like in all its varieties. We want people to have an opportunity to give back to their communities by helping their local farmers and dairymen/ranchers. Finally, we want people to feel good about the products we provide to their dinner tables.
As we build a brighter future, we take every opportunity to share and teach this movement to our own children, Chelsea, Brooklyn, and Stetson. Family and God are everything to us, and we take every opportunity to teach our kids traditional Christian values, including the importance of working hard and finding gratitude in their labors. Every day, we feed and water the horses, steers, chickens, dogs, and cats, clean pens and chicken coops, and collect the eggs. We grow our fruits and vegetables in the summer and freeze-dry and can for the winter. We believe in remaining grateful for the things Earth gives back to us. Farm life has a way of slowing things down, allowing us to pay attention to what really matters in life – God and Family. This is the future we see for our kids.
Don Harris
Don operated the Harris Buying Station until 2011, earning a lifetime of friends and a stellar reputation within the cattle industry. In 2010, Don and his wife, Nancy, were honored for their work in the livestock and agriculture industry and were inducted into the Cattleman’s Hall of Fame. A beloved father, grandfather, and true cowboy, Don also enjoyed the outdoors and hunting in the Idaho Mountains with his hound dogs.
Orville Harris
Orville Harris began his career working with his father on a sheep and cattle farm. In 1945, he moved to Nampa and opened a dairy business, traveling far and wide to gather top-quality dairy heifers, which he used to help local cattlemen build back their weak stock. In 1959, he opened the Shoshone Sale Yard, ultimately growing into one of the largest weekly dairy sales in the west. Orville helped install and used the first pipeline milker in Idaho, supported local FFA and 4-H programs, mentored young farmers, and built a reputation for hard work, honesty, and the ability to get along with all kinds of people.
4H BRAND HISTORY
4H symbolizes 4 generations of Harris’ in the cattle industry: Grandpa OJ Harris, Dad Don Harris, Bryan, and now, our kids. Keeping this tradition alive is important and challenging, but tenacity lives in the Harris gene. Krista’s family is also full of true cowboys, starting with Grandpa Jerry Callen Sr. Jerry taught his son, Krista’s stepdad Jerry Jr., all about runnin’ cattle and a feedlot – not to mention rodeoing!
Cowboying is who we are at our core. The ability to adapt and grow as the world adapts and grows, while still holding to traditional country values, is what we were taught from a very young age, and it’s what we are passing on to our children, the next Harris generation.
Values that speak to good ole cowboy truths are:
Ride Together, Stand Together
In the wild frontier, we know the strength of our community lies in our unity and support for one another.
Earn Your Spurs
Out here, we don't wait for handouts. We saddle up and work hard to earn our keep, embracing the value of self-reliance and grit.
Steward of the Land
Cowboys understand the sacred bond between man and nature, respecting the land and its bounty with every hoofbeat and breath of fresh air.
Echoes of the Past
We honor the wisdom of our forefathers, cherishing the timeless traditions and heritage that guide our way of life.
Straight-Shootin' and Square Dealin'
In these parts, a man's word is his bond. Honesty and integrity are as essential as a trusty steed on the open range.
Warm Welcome, Wide Open Spaces
Our homesteads may be humble, but our hearts are vast and open, extending hospitality to all who pass through our gates.
Sunup to Sundown
From dawn 'til dusk, we toil under the big sky, embracing the cowboy creed of hard work and unwavering dedication.
Blood Runs Thicker Than Water
Family is the bedrock of our cowboy way of life, binding us together with a love as strong as braided leather reins.
Proud Riders of the Range
With pride in our hearts and the stars and stripes waving high, we ride as patriots of this great land we call home.
Faith in the Saddle
Beneath the wide-brimmed hat lies a soul steeped in faith, finding solace and strength in the cowboy's spiritual connection to the land and sky.
Sayings Heard Around the Farm
Whether from Krista’s farmer stepdad or Bryan’s cowboying grandpa and father, it wasn’t uncommon to hear these sayings, and we’ve adopted them into our own little family, too!
"Keep your powder dry."
Be prepared for anything, stay vigilant."Saddle up!"
Get ready to go, prepare yourself for action."Shoot from the hip."
Act quickly and decisively, without overthinking."Ride 'em cowboy!"
Encouragement to face challenges head-on."Head 'em up, move 'em out!"
Time to get moving, round up the cattle."Cowboy up!"
Toughen up, face adversity with courage and resilience."Don't squat with your spurs on."
Be mindful of your actions and avoid unnecessary discomfort."Ain't my first rodeo."
I have experience dealing with difficult situations."Don't fence me in."
A declaration of independence and a love for wide-open spaces."Tighten your cinch."
Get prepared and ready for action, both literally and metaphorically."Better to ride and fall than never to ride at all."
Embrace challenges and take risks rather than avoiding them altogether.EMPLOYEES INTO FAMILY
When adding employees to our Harris Family businesses, we look for those interested in learning and growing with us. For example, we cover the cost of a CDL for employees of Harris Cattle Buyers, a $5,000 value. Together, we can keep history alive, pass on traditional values, and continue to innovate within the cattle industry.