Ryan Johnson, Butcher at Country Market

Ryan Johnson, 27 of Happy Valley, moved back to Shasta County three months ago from Santa Cruz for a job as a butcher at Country Market in Happy Valley. Johnson first learned how to butcher while he was growing up on a ranch in Cottonwood.

“I learned to butcher hogs and deer at 12 years old,” said Johnson, “It is something I am good at and I enjoy doing.”

After graduating from West Valley High School in 1998, Johnson attended Shasta College earning an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology. From there, he went to San Jose State University and earned a degree in culinary arts, followed by a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Johnson worked at many grocery stores as a butcher while putting himself through school. In the end, Johnson decided to stay in the custom butchering field because he enjoyed it and the people that he worked with.

“I wanted to get out of the city and back to the country way of life.” said Johnson.

Being a butcher takes a lot of patience, strength and stamina, especially to produce a quality product for customers. Johnson’s duties include preparing the meat for the meat counter, putting together custom orders for clients, overall care of the meat department, working one-on-one with customers to pick a good product for their family meals and preparing and barbecuing tri-tip, chicken, ribs and pork roast each Friday.

“I like working at Country Market,” said Johnson, “I like the people that I work for and I am able to customize my department because I know what families like to eat on what night, how they like it cut and when they come in to purchase their meat.”

In his spare time, Johnson enjoys lifting weights, splitting wood, barbecuing and taking time to promote his services as a butcher.

“My main goal is to have a successful and honest butcher shop with constant business. I like what I do because I can make a good consistent product that people are happy with and I am happy with.” stated Johnson. “Also, good customer service is something I like to provide.”

Country Market is located at 5234 Happy Valley Road in Anderson.

Name: Ryan Johnson.

Born where and when: Sacramento 1980.

Occupation: Butcher at Country Market.

Marital Status: Single.

Pets: A cat named Sarah.

My worst job: Working as a bouncer in a night club.

My first job: Working as a ranch hand.

In my spare time I: Travel.

My favorite book: The Long Walk by Stephen King.

My favorite movie: Fight Club.

My favorite recording artist: Nickleback.

My dream car: A Chevy Duramax Diesel 4X4.

My friends like me because: I’m down to earth, layed back and just fun.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: My surfboard.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: Live every day like it is the last.

The best advice my parents gave me: Get a degree (I’ve got two).

My most embarrassing moment: Losing my speedo at a swimming competition, but I finished first.

My most irrational act: Surfing a 50-foot wave at Maverick’s in Half Moon Bay.

My most valued material possession: My California King size bed.

What I like the best about the North State: Nor-Cal has the most real people.

My heroes are: Christ, Chuck Liddel, Randy Davis and Ron White.

My pet peeve is: Domestic violence towards women. There is no excuse.

My fantasy is: To explore the theory of soul mates.

If I could change one thing about myself: I wouldn’t be so shy.

The one thing Shasta County needs the most is: An honest butcher. Here I am.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Finding that natural rush, like sky diving, bungee jumping, hang gliding and hanging on to my street bike at excessive speeds.