Portable Poultry Processing: A Farmer-Led Design for Sustainable Small-Farm Production

Project Overview

ONC26-194
Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2026: $49,978.00
Projected End Date: 01/31/2027
Grant Recipient: Grace Place Farm & Gardens
Region: North Central
State: South Dakota
Project Coordinator:
Mason Prescott
Email
Grace Place Farm & Gardens

Commodities

No commodities identified

Practices

No practices identified

Proposal abstract:

Small-scale poultry producers in the Midwest face persistent challenges accessing affordable, timely, and efficient processing options. If the goal is sustainability, a lightweight, trailer-based poultry processing design that beginning farmers can afford and legally move without triggering permanent-structure regulations has immense potential.

Several SARE-funded projects in the last decade report that mobile units-whether for milking (FNC19-1194), wash/pack (FNC25-1450), or retail (FNC20-1226)-enhance flexibility, reduce barriers to entry, and expand market access. This project builds directly on that body of work by adapting proven concepts-like container-based "Poultry Plant in a Box"-into a cost-effective, two-trailer system designed by and for farmers.

Working with three independent operations-Mayborn Acres, Prairie Sun Organics, and Bauders' Bonnie Home Farm-Grace Place Farm & Gardens will coordinate the farmer-led design, construction, and field-testing of a mobile processing trailer and poultry-specific cooling trailer featuring a solar-assisted energy offset. Trials will evaluate sanitation, ergonomics, chilling efficiency, mobility, and ease of use for beginning producers.

Two field days, open-source build plans, a sanitation and biosecurity guide, and a six-part video series will support local farmer adoption. This project offers a practical, replicable solution that improves economic viability and environmental stewardship for small farms in the North Central region.

Project objectives from proposal:

  1. Co-design and construct a farmer-led, two-trailer mobile poultry processing and cooling system suitable for beginning farmers in the North Central region.

  2. Field-test the unit across three independent farms to evaluate sanitation, ergonomics, mobility, power efficiency, and chilling performance.

  3. Develop open-source build plans, SOPs, and a sanitation/biosecurity guide tailored to small-scale poultry operations.

  4. Deliver two field days demonstrating on-farm processing workflow, equipment use, and best practices.

  5. Produce a six-part video series documenting design, construction, and on-farm trials to support widespread farmer adoption.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.