Success StoryGate to Plate; Professional Development Event for Agriscience Teachers



Gate to Plate; Professional Development Event for Agriscience Teachers

Author: Gregg Rentfrow

Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences

Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

UK Meat Science offered a Processed Meats Professional Development (PD) Event for Agriscience Teachers, during the summer of 2023 which was extremely successful.  Therefore, we wanted to offer another PD in 2024.  UK Meats Science teamed up with Dr. Rebekah Epps (Agriculture Education) and Mr. Braden Burks (Kentucky Cattlemen's Association) to develop a three-day PD for Kentucky's Agriculture Teachers.  Twenty-five teachers throughout the Commonwealth toured various beef farms as well as the Bluegrass Stockyards on day one; the teachers learned about the slaughter process, USDA Beef Quality and Yield Grading, beef carcass fabrication, and new cuts from the beef ribeye on day two; the final day was dedicated to learning about BBQ.  The Ag teachers learned about cooking and preparing beef briskets, burnt ends, and beef tri tip roasts, as well as they got to make their own BBQ rub.  Overall the three day PD was a success, receiving high marks from all of the participants polled.  More PD events will be planned for 2025.