Farmer-to-Market Website: A Meat Processing and Delivery Resource Survey

Kelmscott proposes to provide Maine and regional farmers with a resource guide for lamb and beef processing, packaging and delivery systems available in Maine. The resource could be called the Farmers-to-Market website. It will survey Maine's USDA lamb and beef processing facilities, gathering information about their capabilities, research delivery and packaging methods and locate other pertinent resources that are necessary to the processing and delivery of niche meat products. The survey results will form the content of an information resource for Maine Farmers that can be accessed in hard copy format or in electronic form on the World Wide Web. The information will be kept current and users can exchange their experiences from the field. Farmers throughout the state will be able to access this information resource through the Internet or to receive the materials in hard copy form. Currently, most farmers must do their own research to locate the necessary resources to facilitate product processing and to market delivery. In addition, many farmers may not be aware of all the resources that are available.