Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES
Major Program: Economic Development
Plan of Work: Planning for the Family and Farm
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Covid 19 pandemic brought to light the fragile nature of the United States food supply. The meat processing and packing industry was one area that was specifically affected due to reduced processing capacity that resulted in limited meat supplies on the supermarket shelves. A local client contacted this agent in the summer of 2020 regarding assistance in starting a meat processing plant. This agent worked with the client on all aspects of this venture. A tour of the UK meats lab and a meeting with Dr. Gregg Rentfrow, UK CAFE meats specialist was arranged to help the client gain processing knowledge and ultimately complete their HACCP training. A meeting with Dr. Kenny Burdine, Livestock Marketing Specialist, from the UK CAFE Agricultural Economics Department was utilized to assist the client in understanding the market as it relates to the meat processing business. This agent also assisted the client with contacting KCARD to help with the review of the clients business plan so as to help gain funding through the Kentucky Office of Agriculture Policy and from the Phase I Agricultural Development Councils in Muhlenberg and surrounding counties. Due to the work of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents, Matt Futtrell in Christian County, and Leann Martin in Logan County, the Phase I County Agriculture Development Councils in those counties gave the project a high priority. Erika Wood, Hopkins County Horticulture Agent, Curt Judy, Todd County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, Greg Comer, Ohio County Agriculture Natural Resources Agent, and this agent worked with the respective county Phase I County Agricultural Development Councils resulting in a high priority from each of these counties along with a combined $25,000 allocation to the project. The hard work of the client and his wife along with the aforementioned efforts resulted in the business venture receiving a $250,000 Kentucky Agriculture Develpment Fund grant on May 4, 2021. A retail meat shop will open at the end of May 2021 and the processing floor will open this fall. The business plan states that the business will have up to 25 employees when it is fully operational. The owner said his goal was not only to provide Muhlenberg and surrounding counties a custom harvest plant but also a place to purchase locally sourced meats. The owner said to this agent "I could not have done this without you." This project highlights the importance of how local agents from the University of Kentucky College of Food and Environment Cooperative Extension Service make a difference in the lives of the citizens of Kentucky.
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