Driven by Partnership, Passion, and Purpose: Keith and Cathy Wadel Honor Family Legacy Through PA Beef to PA Schools Program

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — May 4, 2026 — For Keith and Cathy Wadel, the purpose behind raising high-quality beef extends beyond their calling to farming. The Wadel’s work is rooted in family and legacy, purpose, and a passion that has carried them through both success and unimaginable loss.

For more than 30 years, the Wadels have built their operation on strong partnerships, hard work, and a deep commitment to producing quality beef. Today, through the Pennsylvania Beef Council’s PA Beef to PA Schools (PBPS) program, that commitment connects their farm to school cafeterias across Pennsylvania. Behind that work is also a story of resilience.

In 2020, the Wadel family experienced a devastating loss when their son, Alex, was killed in an ATV accident at just 25 years old.

Alex shared his father’s passion for cattle and the future of the family farm. 

“He had the same plans and dreams Keith did,” Cathy Wadel shared. “For a while after losing him, we struggled and wondered if we could continue doing what we do without his help and enthusiasm. We miss him terribly, but we know he would want us to keep doing what we love.”

Though grief changed the family forever, it did not end the mission Alex believed in. “Through it all, God has been good,” Cathy said.

A Legacy That Continues

For Keith, rediscovering that passion took time, but today, his dedication to cattle farming and local beef remains strong. “We’ve been at this a long time,” Keith said. “I take a lot of pride in doing it right and knowing where our beef goes.”

That pride is reflected in an expansive operation rooted in relationships. From their 260-acre farm to a network of 12 to 15 satellite farms spanning Bedford to Juniata counties, the Wadels and their partners help manage nearly 700 cows, all with a shared commitment to quality and stewardship that has driven a growing demand for locally raised beef.

A Natural Fit for PA Beef to PA Schools

That demand increasingly includes schools. Over the past several years, the Wadels have partnered with processors and distributors to supply beef through the Pennsylvania Beef Council’s PA PBPS program.

Now in its fourth year, PBPS connects schools and food service professionals with cattle producers to provide students with fresh, locally sourced beef. The focus of the program is more beef, more often. The initiative not only supports farmers but also integrates locally grown food into school lunch menus, connecting students to agriculture and their community through the beef industry.

PBPS ensures that high-quality beef is regularly on the menu and works to combat food insecurity while meeting students’ nutritional needs. Throughout the school year, participating school districts will procure beef monthly from local producers. The program serves 145 school districts in 57 counties and will serve more than 320,000 students in 2026.

Today, much of the Wadel’s ground beef is making its way into school cafeterias across Pennsylvania.

“It’s a great relationship,” Wadel said. “I love being able to see where our beef ends up and watch people enjoy it, especially kids.”

Through partnerships with organizations like Happy Valley Meat Company, the Wadels have been able to connect their operation to school districts, helping expand access to fresh, locally raised beef for students.

Seeing the Impact Firsthand

For Wadel, one of the most rewarding aspects of the program has been seeing its impact up close.

At a recent school event in Harrisburg, held in partnership with the PA Department of Agriculture, he watched as students sampled different burger options as part of a taste-testing activity designed to give them a voice in what appears on their menus.

“It was incredible,” Wadel said. “To see 800 students in that cafeteria and watch them engage with and enjoy the food, that’s what this is all about.”

Events like these not only introduce students to local beef but also help them understand the importance of food quality, sourcing, and nutrition.

A Passion for Feeding the Next Generation 

Wadel is deeply passionate about the role beef plays in a healthy diet, especially for young people. “I’m crazy about beef,” he said. “I think it’s one of the best proteins people can eat. For kids to have access to local, high-quality beef, I think that’s the greatest thing.”

He also sees the program as an opportunity to educate the next generation about agriculture and sustainability. “What I’ve seen from students is that they’re thinking ahead,” Wadel said. “Local and sustainable matters to them. Getting kids involved in that early is the backbone of our farm economy.”

Family at the Center

Cathy remains an essential part of the business, managing orders and logistics while helping ensure the farm continues moving forward. Together, Keith and Cathy have chosen to honor Alex’s memory not by stepping away from the farm, but by continuing the work he loved.

Their story is one of perseverance and hope—of carrying forward a family dream through heartbreak, faith, and renewed purpose.

“I’m all in,” Keith said. “I want to see this program grow and succeed.”

Through PA Beef to PA Schools, the Wadel family is bringing local beef to Pennsylvania students and continuing a legacy built on passion, partnership, and the enduring belief that even through loss, meaningful work can move forward.

Photo 1: Cattle gather in a paddock on the Wadel Farm.

Photo 2: Cattle enjoy a meal on the Wadel farm.

To learn more about PBPS contact Nichole Hockenberry, PA Beef Council Executive Director at [email protected] or 1-888-4BEEFPA.

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The Pennsylvania Beef Council is a producer-controlled and funded organization, which administers the Beef Checkoff Program in Pennsylvania. The Beef Checkoff Program assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. Checkoff revenues may be used for promotion, education and research programs to improve the marketing climate for beef.