Strengthening the ability of the land grant university system to execute its rural development mission

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Small Meat Processors Working Group

Small meat processing plants are necessary for the vitality of Iowa’s agriculture and rural lifestyle. In 1965, there were more than 550 small meat plants in Iowa. Today there are less than 200. To address this decline, interested researchers came together to form the Small Meat Processors Working Group.

The Small Meat Processors Working Group is also part of the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network, Cooperative Extension’s national network supporting small meat processors.

Since the summer of 2006, the Small Meat Processors Working Group has been investigating and mapping out the resources available at the local, state and national levels to assist small Iowa meat processors who seek to begin, upgrade or expand their businesses. The working group has identified five areas where meat lockers struggle:

  1. Business Planning and Feasibility
  2. Financing and Financial Assistance
  3. Plant Design
  4. Plant Construction
  5. Labor

A Small Meat Processors’ Resource Guidebook has been compiled that addresses each of these five areas, along with the many rules and regulations that govern small meat plants. In general, each section focuses first on local resources and then moves to state and federal assistance.

How to Participate in the Working Group

Meetings are held approximately every two months. While the working group welcomes new input, meetings are not open to the public. For more information or to inquire about participating in the working group, contact:

Arion Thiboumery
(515) 294-2882
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Small Meat Processors Working Group

The goal of the Small Meat Processors Working Group is to help small, Iowa meat processors expand, upgrade or build new facilities in order to promote rural development—directly via the processors, and indirectly by helping offer greater market access for livestock producers and greater purchasing options for local and regional household and non-household buyers.

There are serious and persistent problems affecting the success of small meat processors, and while many groups are supporting them or are interested in supporting them, they can’t do it alone. The Small Meat Processors Working Group was formed to bridge the gap between the following groups that are critical to the success of small meat processors: