Project Overview
Maryland´s small livestock farmers want to capitalize on their urban location and strong demand for locally-produced meats. However, they need a core knowledge and skill set in family-friendly meat products and packaging, how to work with their meat processor, marketing options, and food safety regulations and licensing requirement in Maryland. This project developed curriculum materials in these subjects, conducted four training sessions - one in a chef´s commercial kitchen and one at a processor´s facility - to acquire this information and network with other small-farm livestock producers. Instructors included trained professionals, Extension Educators, and farmers already engaged in this style of production and marketing. Each participant was offered the opportunity to formulate a marketing plan for their products. While several did so, the advent of the marketing season in May limited time for others. The marketing planning sessions will continue to be offered, particularly during winter 2014.
Instructional materials and videos from the project have been posted on the University of Maryland´s Ag Marketing site, www.extension.umd.edu.
Number of Participants: 91
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
There are no promotional materials available for this project.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
There are no educational materials available for this project.
REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
There are no reports or evaluations available for this project.