Cables Cultivate Growth in Phelps County

From providing locally raised beef through Cross Diamond Meats to revitalizing the Bertrand Farmer's Market, Meredith Cable and her husband, Corey, have invested in ventures that strengthen connections and bring vitality to Phelps County.

For Meredith, entrepreneurship was never part of the original plan.

She grew up near St. Edward on a cow-calf, feedlot and row crop operation and started on an agricultural career path. She earned a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, completed UNL's Timmerman Feedlot Management Internship Program in South Dakota and later earned a master's degree in Ruminant Nutrition.

After working for several respected agricultural companies, Cable found herself drawn into entrepreneurship. She said her husband, Corey, who is the Ranch Manager at Cross Diamond Cattle in rural Bertrand, is the real entrepreneur.

"I've just been blessed to be along for the ride and have the opportunity to do it with him," she said.

The Cables are involved in multiple ventures, including Cross Diamond Meats, Cable Car Wash, storage units in Bertrand, and the revitalized Bertrand Farmer's Market. Meredith also has dreams of someday opening a mercantile featuring locally made goods, produce and artisan products.

Growing Cross Diamond Meats

Their entrepreneurial journey began with a simple idea: connecting consumers to local beef.

Meredith and Corey started selling bulk beef to friends in the Omaha area in 2018. After the birth of their son in 2021, they officially launched Cross Diamond Meats in partnership with Cross Diamond Cattle owners Scott and Kim Ford.

What began as bulk beef sales has grown into a multifaceted business offering bulk beef, retail beef, freezer meals, tallow products, and now a food truck. While many customers remain in the Omaha area, the company now serves communities throughout central and western Nebraska and even ships beef products to customers in Chicago during the winter.

The mission behind the business is deeply personal.

Meredith grew up with a freezer full of beef and didn't fully appreciate that security until later in life. She and Corey recognized that many families wanted access to locally raised beef but weren't sure how to navigate the process.

"We wanted to bridge that gap for people and take the unknowns out of beef production," she said. "We wanted to provide transparency and confidence to beef consumers."

As their businesses have grown, so have the challenges.

"The biggest challenge has been designating the right amount of time for each enterprise," Meredith said.

At the same time, the rewards have far outweighed the difficulties.

"The biggest reward hands down has been the people that we get to work with and meet with each of our enterprises," she said.

She credits much of their success to the relationships they've built along the way, particularly with the Ford family and the team at Lost Way Brewery.

"We've had so many people believe in us and cheer us on when we were only focusing on mistakes we had made," she said. "That has made all the difference."

Investing in Bertrand

Those relationships have also strengthened the Cables' commitment to Bertrand.

Although both Meredith and Corey are transplants to the area, they quickly recognized the importance of investing in the community they now call home.

"When we think back to our hometowns, we look back fondly on all those communities did for us," she said. "We want to give back to Bertrand because we realize how important a great community is to shaping young people and their futures."

That commitment led Meredith to revive the Bertrand Farmer's Market after it had been dormant for several years. What began as a small gathering of four or five vendors has grown significantly.

Now in its second year under her leadership, the market recently welcomed 17 vendors and continues to expand with plans for food trucks, special events and family-focused activities. It takes place at the Bertrand City Park on Tuesday nights throughout the summer from 5:30-7 p.m.  

Cable believes creating opportunities and experiences in rural communities is essential to attracting and retaining young families.

"Small towns will not make it if young people can't see the benefits of coming back home," she said. "We want to be part of the amazing community that ensures they do see all of the possibilities Bertrand and Phelps County have to offer."

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Cable is excited about the possibility of hosting a farm-to-table dinner that would showcase local agriculture and local businesses. The event would bring together ranchers, food producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs while helping consumers learn more about where their food comes from.

Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward.

"The sound of naysayers is going to sound a lot louder than those cheering you on," she said. "Establish your mission and core values before you do anything else and let those guide you when others are doubting what you are doing."

Recently, Meredith met with PCDC staff to discuss their businesses and future goals.

"Our meeting with PCDC helped us look at our current businesses under a different lens," Cable said. "They helped us see where we could make changes, where we could make improvements, where we could grow, and they helped us get excited about things again."

For Cable, entrepreneurship isn't just about building businesses. It's about building relationships, creating opportunities, and helping rural communities thrive for future generations.