Forrest Peterman is the son of deceased owner of Just Beef, the family corporation.
Education & Early Life
Forrest Peterman was born in 1950 in Austin, Texas. As a child, Forrest lived on a farm with his five brothers Richard, Stephen, Jonathan, Ernest, and Jackson, and two sisters Jane and Signe and his parents Jacopo and Katie Schilling-Peterman. His maternal grandparents, Jude and Bella oftentimes cared for the children while the parents were busy on the farm. The children were brought to their grandparents' ranch in Nebraska where He attended Lake Travis High School where he first became interested in economics. He graduated in the top 80 percent of his class. He later attended Judson College in Alabama. He left when he discovered that his youngest brother Jackson suffered from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. He took a year off to support his younger brother. After graduating college, his family treated him on a vacation to Brazil where he first discovered the fascinations of cows.
Career
After beginning his education at Travis High School, Peterman found work at a local restaurant, Big Mama's Meatloaf Shack. Once he graduated high school, he took a year off before attending college to work at Ranch Alexander in Montana working with horses. His career in agriculture continued through his studies at Judson College, Alabama. A few years after graduating, his father, Jacopo Peterman, died of heart failure. Thus, the family business was passed into the hands of 27-year old Forrest Peterman. He expanded the company and created new branches which increased the number of employees by 17%.
Criticisms and Lawsuits
Despite the economic success of his company Just Beef, there have been many media and private claims and criticisms attacking the practices of Peterman's business.
Lawsuits
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) filed a lawsuit on December 13, 1985 accusing Peterman of unethical treatment of the cows used for the Just Beef business. The case was taken up by Texas state courts on February 11, 1986. Police discovered that many animals had been waterboarded as means to torture cows. The cow waterboarding took place at a slaughterhouse in Texas. Hidden cameras captured the torture. The Humane Society joined the claim. President Wayne Pacelle told reporters that, “The attempt was to make them so distressed and to cause them so much suffering that these animals would get up and walk into the slaughterhouse.” PETA successfully exposed Peterman’s Company, Just Beef. The company was forced to publicly apologize and a charge of $20,000 was issued under act SB 490. The bill further ordered persons convicted to attend counseling.
Personal Life
During his senior year at Judson College in Alabama, Peterman proposed to Lisa Steele. The two happily married in Mississippi while on a ferry boat on the Mississippi River. After being married for two years, Lisa publicly announced her pregnancy of twins. Seven months later, she gave birth to two twin girls, Katie and Brittany Peterman. Forrest Peterman’s love for cats compelled him to buy two male Siamese cats, Sassy and Richard.
Activism
Peterman’s experience with his OCD brother, Jackson, led him to support the research to find the cure to OCD. Through OCF (Obsessive Compulsive Foundation), he donated over $2 million. He has been attending the Annual OCF Conference ever since. He was even invited to be a guest speaker in 2003 and 2004 when he addressed the hardships of family members of those with OCD.
Famous quotes
“Cattle is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gases, that’s why we should help the environment!” ~July 20, 1992
“I wish I had a blue oxen like Paul Bunyun, then maybe they’d be worth saving” ~Business and Enterprise Entertainment interview with Alexander Peri, April 18, 1987
“Everyone should have their own opinion and be able to voice it. No matter what it is. Of course, that does not mean your opinion is always right. But, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion” ~May 5, 1996
“I always want to learn, but I am sure on my dying day I will feel like I left something in the trough” ~December 2, 1982
“I mean, I grew up with cows. I can’t remember not being able to herd and milk them and all that stuff. It was part of my life growing up, so it was fun for me” ~August 24, 1970
“When I was a kid, my dad started this business and would go and get beef and stuff. He was a part-time farmer, cowboy, and the guy in charge of beef. He taught me how to ranch from an early age” ~September 25, 1996.
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