Florida Meat Goat Study

Florida Meat Goat Study

Summary

In the US, meat goat production has become one of the fastest growing livestock industries and has proven profitable for many farm families. Despite the demand for goat meat, there are several challenges facing the industry. Foremost is the lack of a well established regional or national marketing infrastructure by which goats are distributed from the farm to the consumer. A proposed solution is to develop surveys that will primarily access and evaluate the feasibility of marketing goats in the state of Florida

• Goat Farmer Survey
• Survey Letter

Objectives/Performance Targets

We proposed a two year project.
1. In year one, create data base, develop a survey instrument for producers, processors and consumers and identify local farmers and consumers from each county by working with local extension agents and other county, state and federal agencies to gather the necessary data. Begin surveying counties in the north region of Florida and summarize, analyze survey data and create a report from this region. Access processing and slaughtering facilities throughout the state of Florida. Identify producers that will also like training opportunities from the universities to help them better facilitate marketing outlets.
2. In year two, identify local farmers from each county by working with local extension agents and other county, state, and federal agencies to gather the necessary data. Begin surveying counties in South Florida and identify needs and providing training opportunities. Summarize, analyze survey data, create a report from this region and create a final report to be shared with collaborators on this project. Develop a central clearing house to better provide producers with relevant, current and accurate information on marketing opportunities in Florida. Identify producers that will also like training opportunities from the universities to help them better facilitate marketing outlets. Analyze data and creat report that can be shared with state and federal agencies to harness support to better assist the identified constituents and other small farm families.

Accomplishments/Milestones

A survey has been created and distributed to goat farmers through conferences, websites, auctions, and universities. Currently, hiring of university students is in process to help distribute more surveys to farms that are not connected to the above outlets.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

• The impact and contribution as a result of the project will include but not limited to:

  Suggest possible co-ops that would create ease of movement of product.

  Simply identifying where each division of the industry is located will prove to be a solution, as after analyzing the data, industry leaders will have a firm idea of where to begin new marketing strategies and to set up new businesses.

  Creating a network of Florida farms and industry professionals and producers will allow for exchange of ideas faster and exchange of product, produces a cohesiveness of industry.

  Set up a test FARM-to-TABLE run. Identify one area where consumer needs are present, as well as product, but there is a disconnect. Set up a way for farmers to get their product processed, packaged and delivered to consumers, and then analyze sales and satisfaction rates.

Collaborators: