Project Overview
North Carolina farmers risk losing market opportunities and experience other negative financial implications when they have slaughter-ready livestock but cannot access or navigate processing. Producers experienced this with the pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruptions. National meat shortages skyrocketed consumer demand for local meat and commodity market prices
plummeted, leaving new and traditional farms scrambling to access Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) markets and overwhelming processing facilities. While the government responded with grants to upgrade meat-processing facilities, expansions take time, jeopardizing farm product quality, availability, and adding costs. We propose to: (1) Develop a new online processor directory tool, cut-sheet templates, and other resources to help farmers navigate the processing environment, maximize cost-effective products and services, and avoid market risks associated with processing animals at sub-optimal times; (2) Conduct 12 comprehensive price-to-market trainings to help farmers access new DTC market channels, and learn how to price profitably in direct markets to avoid price fluctuations in commodity markets. We will develop skills and grow markets for 560 new and transitioning meat producers. Trainings, resources, and videos will be developed and incorporated into MeatSuite.com, a direct to consumer meat marketing site, and shared through state and national networks
Number of Participants: 561
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.