Meat and Poultry Processing North Carolina

Project Overview

MPP23-003
Project Type: Meat and Poultry Processing
Funds awarded in 2023: $410,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2026
Grant Recipient: North Carolina State University
Region: National
Lead State: North Carolina
Project Leader:
Sarah Blacklin
Center for Environmental Farming Systems, NC State University

Commodities

  • Animal Products: meat

Practices

  • Animal Production: meat processing, meat processing facilities, meat product quality/safety, rangeland/pasture management
  • Education and Training: demonstration, extension, networking, technical assistance, workshop
  • Farm Business Management: e-commerce, financial management, new enterprise development, risk management
  • Production Systems: holistic management, integrated crop and livestock systems
  • Soil Management: soil quality/health
  • Sustainable Communities: infrastructure analysis, local and regional food systems, new business opportunities, sustainability measures

    Abstract:

    We aim to develop skills and grow markets for independent local farmers, processors, entrepreneurs and allied businesses across the south via (1) Developing new and expanding upon existing tools and resources to help accelerate peer-to-peer business collaboration, set meat prices for profitability, expand market channels to reach consumers, and locate timely processing services.  (2) Technical assistance and processor-specific trainings advancing workforce technical skills (including hands-on training) and entrepreneur decision-making (3) Price-to-market trainings and technical assistance to help farmers as well as Extension and farmer trainers manage risks, utilize tools, and access DTC customers; (4) The Carolina Meat Conference (CMC), a multi-day southern summit for local farmer to processor training to advance industry coordination for state and national impact.  Content for this training will be informed by farmers and advisors actively partnering with 1890s land grant institutions and targeting underserved communities.  

    Project objectives:

    We will develop and deliver:

    (1) New and expand upon existing tools and resources to help accelerate peer-to-peer business collaboration, set meat prices for profitability, expand market channels to reach consumers, and locate timely processing services. 

    (2) Technical assistance and processor-specific trainings advancing workforce technical skills (including hands-on training) and entrepreneur decision-making

    (3) Price-to-market trainings and technical assistance to help farmers as well as Extension and farmer trainers manage risks, utilize tools, and access DTC customers;

    (4) The Carolina Meat Conference (CMC), a multi-day southern summit for local farmer to processor training to advance industry coordination for state and national impact.  Content for this training will be informed by farmers and advisors actively partnering with 1890s land grant institutions and targeting underserved communities.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.