What started as a dinner-table conversation in a busy household has grown into a thriving business connecting families across Florida with high-quality, locally raised beef.

Mount Dora residents John and Colby Osteen, both fifth-generation ranchers, are the founders of The Wildflower Ranch, a family-owned and veteran-operated business that delivers bulk beef and individual cuts directly to customers’ doors anywhere in the state.

The couple, proud parents of their three children, Brayden, Savannah and Alivia, are deeply rooted in Florida’s agricultural community. Their children are active in 4H, they regularly participate in local county fairs, and the family is involved in the Florida Federation of Fairs, the Cattlewomen’s Association and the Cattlemen’s Association.

The idea for the business came after friends repeatedly asked the Osteens for help buying local beef. They quickly realized that while people wanted clean, local meat with no additives or hormones, most were intimidated by the process of buying directly from a farmer.

“People clearly wanted better beef—no additives, no guesswork, and no corporate mystery meat,” John says. “But the process of buying a cow, coordinating processing, and figuring out storage? That was overwhelming.”

So, they decided to change that.

The Wildflower Ranch partners with local cattle producers to ensure the beef is hormone-free, antibiotic-free and raised free range. The Osteens personally vet the farms and use USDA-inspected facilities for all processing, packaging and freezing. Customers can order anything from a single steak to a whole beef, and for those buying in bulk, the Osteens even arrange freezer delivery.

What makes their Mount Dora-based operation unique, they say, is that it removes every obstacle for families who want to support local agriculture. They even set up at local markets to make it more accessible to everyone.

“No confusing paperwork,” John says. “No surprise fees. Just clear choices, local beef, and a family business that genuinely cares. “For us, it’s not just about beef. It’s about faith, family, and helping people reconnect with their food and their values.”

More information can be found at www.thewildflowerranch.net or on Facebook.