Released April 3, 2009
LINCOLN, Neb. -- A new Web site for niche meat processors launched today at http://www.extension.org. It is one of many virtual communities within eXtension (pronounced E-extension), a national initiative of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System.
The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network, with experts from 25 states, works to help livestock farmers and ranchers who want to have meat processed to sell in niche markets.
Niche meat demand
“The market for niche meats is growing steadily around the country as more livestock producers and consumers jump onboard. However, they often find a lack of appropriate infrastructure -- slaughterhouses and further processors -- to be the barrier,” said Lauren Gwin, Oregon State University researcher and a coordinator of the network. “Unlike many basic foods -- fruits and vegetables, or grains and beans -- you can’t market meat without a proper place to have it processed.”
Niche meat processors are small to mid-sized meat processing facilities that can serve local and regional markets for meats such as local, grass-fed and organic. “We define ‘niche’ very broadly as market differentiation,” said Arion Thiboumery, Iowa State University research assistant and the other coordinator of the network. “We’re trying to help increase opportunities for livestock producers.”
Resources and information
Information for suppliers, processors and consumers is at http://www.extension.org under the resource area “small meat processors.” More than 100 online articles cover topics from applying for USDA inspection and creating a food safety plan to new tools such as an operating cost calculator for mobile processing units.
The website combines new information with existing resources from Cooperative Extension and other sources including USDA, scientific literature, trade associations and nonprofit organizations.
The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network connects people to get answers and stimulate new thinking. “Many of us in extension have been working with small processors for some time, but through eXtension and this new network, we can be more effective and efficient at what we do,” said Thiboumery.
Other niche meat connections and resources through eXtension include:
- Webinars: Offered every other month, the first two covered mobile meat processing units and poultry processing exemptions. A third planned for late May will explore model designs for small processing plants. More than 100 people attended the last webinar, which included sharing information and swapping ideas among processors, regulators and staff at extension and non-governmental organizations.
- Ask an Expert: Experts answer individual questions within 48 hours of submission.
- Frequently Asked Questions: Experts from around the county provide simple, clear answers on topics such as getting meat labels approved, how processing plants can become certified organic and what a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan is and how to write one.
- E-newsletter (coming soon): Find out about small- and mid-sized meat processing projects plus upcoming events and news.
The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network is supported in part by grants from USDA Rural Development, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Heifer International.
The Niche Meat Processing site joins others at http://www.eXtension.org including information on the financial crisis; organic agriculture, animal manure management; beef cattle; corn and soybean production; cotton production; dairy cattle; disasters; diversity across higher education; entrepreneurs and their communities; family caregiving; geospatial technology; horses; horticulture; imported fire ants; parenting; personal finance; science, engineering and technology for youth; and wildlife damage management.
eXtension is an educational partnership of more than 70 land grant universities helping Americans improve their lives with access to timely, objective, research-based information and educational opportunities. eXtension's interactive Web site, http://www.extension.org, is customized with links to local Cooperative Extension Web sites. Land-grant universities were founded on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all, that universities should teach liberal and practical subjects and share knowledge with people throughout their states.
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Contacts: Arion Thiboumery, Iowa State University, (515) 294-2882, arion@iastate.edu
Lauren Gwin, Oregon State University, (541) 737-1569, Lauren.Gwin@oregonstate.edu
Terry Meisenbach, eXtension Communications, (760) 328-8260, tmeisenbach@eXtension.org
