Toward a Regional Meat Processing Facility

 
In 2006, two major fires seriously impacted meat producers in our area. The first was on July 24th at the state's largest slaughterhouse, Fresh Farms in Rutland, VT.  The second was on December 19th at Adams Farm slaughterhouse in Athol, MA.  Both facilities were destroyed, creating a major crises for beef, sheep, and goat farmers in our region. Since that time, farmers have had to travel great distances, at considerable expense, to have their animals processed.
 
Responding to this situation, POS arranged a meeting with area farmers and Randy Quennville, Meat Programs Section Chief of the Vermont Agriculture Agency on January 30, 2007 in Brattleboro.
 
As the result of this meeting, a group of area farmers and other interested community parties organized around bringing a regional meat processing facility to our area. This group is being facilitated by Bekah Murchison, of Fair Winds Farm. In addition to a number of local farmers, and POS, the group includes:
  • Ed Jackson, Food & Markets, Vermont Department of Agriculture
  • Sylvia Harris, Agriculture Resource Specialist/Basin Planner with Windham Co. Natural Resources Conservation District
  • Sam Comstock, University of Vermont Extenson
  • Eliot Morse, an individual who is interested in running a mobile poultry facility, and has developed a business plan for one
The group recently decided to look into becoming a farmer/community cooperative, and has made contact with the Cooperative Development Institute of Greenfield, MA, to have a representative provide some free consultation on what would be involved in such a venture.
 
For those interested in joining the discussion of this project, you will find a link on the following website: http://www.UVM.edu/livestock/meat/