Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Hannah Stevens
Farm-to-Fork Strategies Being Developed to Better Market Meat Products
Mississippi State University, Alcorn State University, and Tuskegee University are creating farm-to-fork tools for small-scale livestock producers to help them harvest, process, and market their product more efficiently. This information is targeted at the meat goat industry.
The researchers have been awarded a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Grant (SSARE) Professional Development Program Grant to design and build a mobile meat processing unit that can be used for cold storage, fabrication and processing, as well as marketing and cooking. Four key concepts in value-added processing and safety, marketing, and cookery will be covered during mobile training workshops.
Empowerment of Small Producers
Derris Burnett, MSU animal science specialist, stated that small producers can be empowered to provide valuable training for their agents and processors so that they can implement more sustainable management strategies that are based on a better understanding of their markets.
This project uses the basics of biology, anatomy, and chemistry to help producers, processors, as well as other meat industry workers, learn new ways to market, process, and cook meat products. The lesson begins by identifying the specific cut of meat of a particular species. Next, the lesson explains the anatomical and biological components as well as the chemical components of each muscle. This is particularly useful for small ruminants, where these products may not be as well-known and consumers/producers may lack the ability to prepare or process their products.
SARE in Mississippi
The Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE), is sponsored by the Southern Region SARE and coordinated by Mississippi State University and Alcorn State University. Our efforts together are to create a program that improves the state’s environmental, social and economic sustainability through education and research. Mississippi SARE works with producers, researchers, extension faculty, community organizations, and other stakeholders to find and implement science-based practices in all areas of Mississippi’s agriculture system. SARE provides education in sustainable agriculture through a variety of training each year.
You can also read more about Farm Certifications – SARE Southern.
Mississippi Impacts
- $2.6 million in funding since 1988
- 47 projects funded since 1988
You can also read about the Louisiana – SARE Southern and the North Carolina- SARE Southern.
Professional Development Program
In each state, agricultural educators work directly alongside farmers and ranchers to promote sustainable agriculture production and marketing. SARE state agricultural coordinators offer support in sustainable agriculture education and outreach strategies through a program called “The Professional Development Program” (PDP).
Fellows Program
The Sustainable Agriculture Fellows Program is offered by SARE and NACAA. It enhances Cooperative Extension staff’s knowledge of sustainable agriculture and gives them broad-based national exposure to unique and successful sustainable agriculture programs.
State Contacts
SARE State Coordinators play a vital role in expanding sustainable agriculture training for Extension, NRCS and other agricultural professionals. This will help producers transition to a more sustainable farming system.
Franklin Chukwuma
State Coordinator
Alcorn State University
Email | (601) 877-2312
Leyla Rios De Alvarez
Sheep and Goat Specialist
Mississippi State University
Email | (662) 325-0123
You can see more Farm Grants for Females elsewhere on this website.
