June 11, Helping Small Iowa Meat Processors Expand, Upgrade or Build New Facilities, Cedar Falls

Hawkeye Tech Center, Cedar Falls.  A shortage in small-scale meat processing capacity is a common problem cited by Iowa livestock producers.  A group of ISU researchers, Extension staff, development professionals, small meat processors, and producer groups has come together to try to address this issue.  Operating under the name of the Small Meat Processors Working Group (SMPWG), the group has produced a Resource Guidebook which explains the resources available at the local, state and national levels to assist small Iowa meat processors who seek to begin, upgrade, or expand their businesses.  The guidebook also explains the necessary business and regulatory steps, and where to find guidance for each step.  Copies of this guidebook can be downloaded for free from the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development:  www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/pubs/contents/189.htm   The SMPWG is also supporting this costing analysis workshop for small meat processors.  For more information about the SMPWG or the costing workshops, contact Arion Thiboumery, (515) 294-2882 arion@iastate.edu or visit the website:  http://www.ncrcrd.iastate.edu/projects/meatprocessors/index.html