About 2 years ago I was approached by a young farmer who wanted to potentially start a new meat processing facility. I told him about the new program the State Ag Development Board had started to help new and existing meat processing plants remodel or start up, due to the Covid induced meat shortages that were occurring at the grocery stores.

I got him in contact with the state level, at that time, GOAP person, and he started to work the process. I also invited him to our county AG Development Council meeting, where they were whole heartedly in favor of him doing this and voted to commit county money to his project. After that meeting I sent emails to neighboring county agents on his behalf to find out when their county councils met. He then proceeded to contact them and request to be at their meetings and be on the agenda.

Again, he was met with mostly positive attitudes. During this time, I also put him in contact with the operator of another local processing facility who was wanting to retire. She was very helpful to him in his quest. Eventually, he hired all of her employees who were wanting to stay in the business.

After 2 years of planning and meetings and inspections, etc. he has finally been able to open his new from the ground up facility and is doing a very good business. He also expects it o increase in business once he gets USDA inspection on site.

I tutored and help guide him through a lot of this journey and he is generous in his appreciation for the help he was given.