Meat the Crew

We're meat professionals, not spelling bee champions ;)

 

Juan Torres
Plant Manager

Juan Torres serves as the Plant Manager at Farm Country Butchery, bringing with him a lifetime of service, leadership, and a deep respect for doing things the right way.
A retired Army National Guard service member, Juan dedicated 20 years to the military, including three tours in the Middle East. Throughout his service, he earned a reputation as a steady, highly respected leader; someone who took responsibility seriously, looked out for those around him, and led by example. His time serving our country shaped him as a man and the values he holds today.
Since his military career, Juan worked at and then ultimately managed another local processing plant and upon closing, moved on to serve the state of Wisconsin as a Meat Safety Inspector. Prior to joining our team, Juan had over six years of hands-on experience across production, plant management, and inspection sides of the industry.
At his core, Juan believes that integrity shows up in the details. Whether it’s food safety, plant operations, or team leadership, he brings focus, discipline, and pride to every task. He takes his work seriously because he understands what’s at stake; families, farmers, and the trust placed in every product that leaves the plant.
Outside of work, Juan is a devoted husband and father of two. He has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, homegrown food, farming, and (most of all) meat production done with care and intention. His life experiences have shaped a leader who is calm, capable, and deeply committed to serving both his team and the community.
Juan is proud to be part of Farm Country Butchery and is fully invested in ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and craftsmanship, every day, without exception.

 

Shannon
Office Administrator

Shannon is often the first friendly voice you’ll hear and the welcoming face you’ll meet, whether you’re calling in or stopping by in person. She has a natural way of making people feel taken care of, combining clear communication, genuine kindness, and exceptional organization in everything she does. With many years of service in the military, Shannon brings a strong sense of discipline, reliability, and attention to detail to her role. Those habits show up daily in how smoothly things run behind the scenes and in the consistent, high level of service our customers experience. Simply put, Shannon treats people right. You can count on her to be helpful, thorough, and attentive, and you’ll appreciate the care she brings to every interaction.

 


Marielle Hewitt
Co-Owner/Chief Operating Officer

Marielle Hewitt has dedicated her professional life to ranching and meat production, and she brings that experience to the business every single day. With a deep understanding of both the land and the logistics, Marielle plays a key role in leading operations, overseeing sourcing, and keeping the gears of the business running smoothly.

She has a sharp eye for detail and a steady, thoughtful approach to problem-solving, making her an essential part of the team’s success. Whether it’s coordinating schedules, working with producers, or building successful processes, Marielle approaches her work with care, consistency, and pride.

Beyond her role, Marielle is the kind of person who leaves a lasting impression. Spend a little time around her and you’ll quickly understand, she’s knowledgeable, genuine, and deeply invested in the people and work that make this operation what it is. And you’ll be glad you got to know her.

 

Mary Graese
Co-Owner | Sales & Marketing Manager

As a co-owner of Farm Country Butchery and co-founder of Northstar Bison, Mary Graese has spent more than three decades helping connect families with wholesome, locally raised foods. Mary believes great food begins with strong relationships, shared values, and a commitment to quality. Whether she's working with customers, promoting local products, or helping tell the story behind Farm Country Butchery, she takes pride in building trust and fostering connections within the community.

Outside of work, Mary enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, tending her garden, being active in her church, and sharing her love for wholesome, locally raised foods. Her dedication to faith, family, and community continues to inspire the culture and mission of Farm Country Butchery.

 

Zachary Schnell
Food Safety Coordinator | IT

As QA/HACCP Coordinator, IT Specialist at Farm Country Butchery, Zach Schnell is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of food safety, quality, and consistency throughout our operation. Known for his analytical mindset and attention to detail, Zach oversees the systems and processes that help ensure every product or label meets the expectations of our customers and the standards we set for ourselves.

While Zach thrives on precision and problem-solving, he's equally valued for his relational approach and professionalism. He enjoys working alongside team members across the organization, helping create a culture where quality, accountability, and continuous improvement are shared priorities. 

Outside of work, Zach and his wife operate their own farm, giving him a firsthand appreciation for the hard work and stewardship that go into producing quality food. His connection to agriculture, combined with his commitment to excellence, makes him a vital part of the Farm Country Butchery team and mission.





Sean Graese
Marketing

I grew up hunting, fishing, ranching, and in many ways, not much has changed. Some of my earliest and best memories are rooted in those traditions, including our Thanksgiving week deer season ritual I’ll never forget. We were processing all of our deer from the week of hunting; my dad, grandpa, uncles, and I, when everyone suddenly realized the tenderloins were missing. I was 8 or 10 years old at the time so they stationed me at the hand-crank grinder (because I tended to cut myself too much with a knife lol) and, in my enthusiasm, ground everything that came within arm’s reach.... including that pile of succulent inner tenderloins Whoops. I imagine that was some incredible burger though!

My first professional job was right here in Conrath back in 2005, when I turned 18. After growing up fencing, haying, feeding, watering, sorting, & hauling animals, I recognised all that work was for naught if the processing didn't go well. I started on cleanup and packaging, then worked my way onto the cutting and slaughter crews, then into shipping and customer service, marketing, and eventually into leadership. I’ve seen every role this place has to offer and I value every single one of them because I have done it myself.

That journey has given me a deep appreciation for the process and the people behind the work. Every position matters, and every person plays a critical role in creating the quality, care, and experience we believe customers should have. I don’t take that lightly.

I’m proud to be part of this team and the service we provide to our community. I look forward to serving you, and hopefully meeting you in person someday.