Steven D. George
Steven D. George
Owner | Seven Cedars Butcher Block
Steven George, the owner of Seven Cedars Butcher Block, a Tennessee-based family farm providing high-quality, locally-raised beef, pork, chicken, and lamb, has excelled as a farmer and butcher for more than two decades. While he learned the latter trade from his parents growing up, who were in the butcher shop business for more than 30 years in Alabama, he’s a first generation farmer and started his operations from scratch, with no land or resources handed down to him, around 2009. With determination, he rolled up his sleeves and built his farming business over the course of about five years, growing it to produce for others.
Since 2020, Mr. George has established a brick-and-mortar facility for public consumption. All animals are raised from birth on the farm and the shop processes meat for customers, including individual cuts, creating a farm-to-table operation. Among his myriad day-to-day responsibilities, he organizes the production for processing animals and ensures they’re available for walk-in customers at the butcher shop, keeping everything fresh and maintaining a weekly turnover. This approach differs from traditional farming and requires more effort; while most farms have a synchronized timeline for births, with multiple born at the same time, animals are born daily at Seven Cedars Farm, leading to a diverse range of ages. For each cow or steer, the finishing process takes about two years, while pigs have a turnaround time of three to six months, sheep six to eight months, and chicken four months from birth to processing. As a result, the farm operates with a constant flow of turnover, ensuring fresh products are consistently available.
Mr. George has kept the small business in the family. Both his parents moved to Tennessee to help with its operations, while his brother has been involved since the beginning. His wife, Dr. Martha George, serves as an orthopedic surgeon but provides immense support for him and the business, and even their three children—Emerson, Rowan, and Austin—are helping out. While committed to maintaining their status as a mom-and-pop operation, they’re currently trying to engage restaurants in the Nashville area to carry their products. In the shadow of larger corporate competitors, they focus on educating people about the difference in quality and sourcing of their products compared to those found in big-box grocery stores—highlighting their offer of healthier, better, and purer options as opposed to mass=produced and unhealthy alternatives. They believe that once consumers understand where their food comes from, they gain a better appreciation for why they should choose their products.
Recently, Mr. George and his business were recognized with a cover story in the publication Good News Exchange in 2024. A longtime member of the National federation of Independent Business and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, he has also been dedicated to civic endeavors, including numerous financial donations to local churches, food pantries, and charity organizations, as well as donations of farm products for church and town events.
Mr. George—who holds a bachelor’s degree in business and a Master of Business Administration—attributes his success to his determination and ability to make decisions, believing that what drives every entrepreneur is not just success or money, but the production and recognition achieved through the relentless pursuit of setting and reaching goals. Looking toward the future, he aims to sustain his operations. He has been successfully managing the farm for more than 10 years and the butcher shop has now been serving the public for more than five, marking a significant milestone. He strives to not only maintain their presence but expand it, by including external employees beyond just family involvement. He would take pride in providing individuals the opportunity to develop careers, whether as farm or operations managers, or key roles in the butcher shop, such as head cutter. His ultimate objective is to empower others, allowing him to step back from day-to-day responsibilities and focus on building up his team.
Outside of work, Mr. George enjoys hunting in Montana, Wyoming, Texas, and South Dakota, going on national park tours, horseback riding, and attending rodeos.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Steven George for Expertise in Agriculture and Food Production
Steven George is a pioneering entrepreneur with a career spanning more than 20 years in the agriculture and food production industry
LEBANON, TN, May 15, 2025, Steven George has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. George, a distinguished entrepreneur and first-generation farmer, has made significant strides in the agricultural and retail sectors. As the owner of Seven Cedars Butcher Block and Seven Cedars Farm, he has dedicated over 20 years to butchery and more than 15 years to farming and raising beef. His journey began with no inherited land or resources, yet through sheer determination, he established a thriving farm-to-table operation that serves the public with fresh, high-quality meat products.
Mr. George’s career is marked by his innovative approach to farming. At Seven Cedars Farm, he oversees a continuous production cycle that ensures fresh products are available weekly. Unlike traditional farms, where animals are born simultaneously, his farm features a diverse range of ages due to daily births. This method requires meticulous planning and effort but results in consistently fresh offerings for customers.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. George is an expert in troubleshooting farm-related challenges. His expertise is complemented by his active membership in industry organizations such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Retail Association and the National Federation of Independent Business. These affiliations provide him with valuable insights and networking opportunities that enhance his business operations.
Mr. George’s educational background has played a pivotal role in his success. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Montebello in 2004 and later completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of Alabama in 2015. His academic achievements have equipped him with the skills necessary for effective decision-making and strategic planning, which have been instrumental in growing his family-run business.
Beyond his professional commitments, Mr. George is deeply involved in civic activities. He actively participates in the Rotary Club and supports various churches and charity organizations through donations. His contributions extend to local food pantries and community events, where he donates products for church gatherings or fundraisers benefiting the police and fire departments.
Mr. George’s business is truly a family-run operation. His parents have been in the butcher shop business for more than 30 years and now, along with his brother, work with him on the farm and in the butcher shop. Currently striving to engage a few restaurants in the Nashville area to carry their products, Mr. George and his family are committed to maintaining their status as a mom-and-pop venture while facing the challenges posed by larger corporate competitors.
Outside of work, Mr. George enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting across states like Montana and Texas, touring national parks, horseback riding and attending rodeos. As he looks to the future, he aims to sustain and expand his operations by incorporating external employees into key roles within the farm and butcher shop. His vision includes empowering others to take on leadership positions as well as educating consumers about the difference in quality and sourcing of their products compared to those found in big-box grocery stores.
