2000 Annual Report for FNC00-322
Cutting the Red Tape: Processing Pastured Poultry to Meet Market Demands
Summary
Earth Shine Farms is a small family farm located between Lansing and Flint, Michigan. The ten-acre farm is owned by the Frank and Kay Jones family who pasture free range chickens for meat and egg production. The growth of small-scale pastured poultry has grown considerably throughout the state of Michigan. During the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association (APPPA) session it became clear that producers in different parts of the state were receiving different explanations of the states legal requirements. The confusion was limiting the market access for many small-scale Michigan producers because they are not clear of the regulations.
The goal of this 2000 SARE grant was to clarify the current federal and state regulations that apply to the processing and marketing of pasteurized poultry. Also to work with agencies such as Michigan Department of Agriculture and Environmental Quality and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service to simplify and modernize the process for small scale producers to meet the standards and provide safe food for consumers.
The funding from this grant allowed them to work with several organizations including the Michigan Integrated Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS) which helped open many doors for this project. With their help they were able work closely with several departments to increase the awareness of the inconsistencies with the regulations and identify approaches to make sure that everyone was aware and agreed with the regulations.
The publication of "ON-FARM PROCESSING OF PASTURED POULTRY - Clearing a Path for Legal Sale of Poultry Processed by Michigan Farmers" was distributed to Michigan farmers and inspectors. This booklet provided information concerning the regulations as well as providing contact information for the farmers. The Joneses have attended several conferences regarding the regulations and also provided several tours of their on-farm processing facility.