Progress 09/01/20 to 04/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Farm Leather's SBIR project targets the grass-fed beef industry and its diverse stakeholder groups at each link in the supply chain. Our audience includes small and medium-sized ranchers, niche meat processors, animal byproduct customers, and any organization or individual that shares our core company values -- land stewardship, animal welfare, and soil health. Small Businesses - While there are thousands of small businesses in our focus area with the potential to benefit from our hide-to-collagen technology, we are devoting extra attention to those willing to actively engage with us. This "working" audience includes producers such as Big Picture Beef, San Juan Ranch, and Ranch Foods Direct; niche meat processors such as Brush Meat Processors, Lorentz Meats, and High Plains Processing; and byproduct businesses such as Other Half Processing and Pergamena tannery. Industry Associations and Non-Profits - Through networking and project activities, we are continually growing our audience of business associations and non-profit organizations. Key stakeholders include the Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network (NMPAN), the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP), the American Grassfed Association (AGA), the Quivira Coalition, Grassland 2.0, and the Western Landowners Alliance-Women in Ranching Circle. Animal Byproduct Customers/Bio-nutrient Brands -Our customer audience targets the health and wellness industry, specifically food and nutraceutical brands that manufacture, distribute, and/or sell bovine skin hydrolyzed collagen peptides. We also focus on companies that value grass-fed animal ingredients and supply chain traceability. To validate that we are connecting with our target audiences, we submitted the following Letters of Support with our Phase II SBIR application: Raw Material Suppliers: Letter of Support from the American Grassfed Association Technology Customers: Letter of Support from Other Half Processing Letter of Support from Smucker's Meats Letter of Support from West Texas Meats Collagen Customers: Letter of Support from Perfect Supplements Letter of Support from Ancient Nutrition Letter of Support from Natural Grocers Other Byproduct Customers: Letter of Support from The Natural Dog Company Access to Advisors and Investors: Letter of Support from Natural Grocers Letter of Support from the Croatan Institute Geographically, we are targeting regions that have existing grass-fed beef supply chains and a demonstrated commitment to regenerative agriculture. The map below shows potential first adopters as well as areas of possible expansion that were identified through research and relationship-building. We are emphasizing Farm Leather's home state of Colorado and the state of Wisconsin where we have a variety of collaborators interested in providing pilot plant support, connections to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and funding assistance. Changes/Problems:The Phase I research plan was designed to look at the front half of the hide-to-collagen manufacturing process, specifically, the short-term preservation and aggregation of hides from the kill floor to a central processing plant. The technology approach to preservation was gas flush vacuum sealing (GFVS). The problem, however, was that GFVS did not work. The vacuum sealed samples tested only marginally better than unsealed samples--overall preservation was not good. Adding a lactic acid wash to reduce plate count and extend preservation time appeared to help but not enough for practical adoption. While conducting initial experiments to test process parameters, our research partners at the University of Florida, Gainesville discovered an oxidative unhairing solution that efficiently unhaired hides in batches as small as a single hide. We expanded our Phase I work plan to look more closely at low-cost dehairing opportunities at the slaughterhouse. One unexpected outcome of this additional work was that our alkaline medium showed promise not only for hair removal, but also for hide preservation. Over the course of Phase I, the team continued to explore other ways to overcome the logistical and biological supply chain challenges associated with bovine skin collagen production. We evaluated several alternative protocols such as shipping hides in refrigerated transport containers and transporting them in barrels with a combined dehairing/preservation solution. Ultimately, we decided to focus our research moving forward on micro-scaling the back half of the hide-to-collagen system so that fresh hides, sourced within a 2 to 3-hour driving distance, could be used without requiring preservation methods. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?At the University of Florida, Gainesville, two undergraduates engaged in supervised independent research projects on different components of the study. They were supported by a team of a Masters' student and five other undergraduates. Dr. Scheffler anticipates that at least two abstracts and a manuscript will be authored and presented by this group of students. At Farm Leather's headquarters in Boulder, CO, the project provided an opportunity for team-building and professional development. After first volunteering on an advisory basis, recently retired food scientist and experienced grant manager, Caitlin ONeill, MS, RD became Farm Leather's Chief Operating Officer and Co-Project Director for the Phase II grant application. ONeill conducted an independent literature review on the health benefits of hydrolyzed collagen and its use in the functional food industry. ONeill, along with PD Cece Bloomfield, participated in business training and professional development mentoring provided by USDA vendor, the Larta Institute. The executive team also took advantage of continuous learning opportunities by participating in relevant subject matter webinars and conferences hosted virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was to give recent college graduates paid work assignments in their areas of study, as well as one-on-one training in entrepreneurship and grants management. Engineering intern, Peyton Weber, was paired with USDA ARS WRRC systems engineer to help develop the techno economic model for a Phase II pilot plant. ONeill supervised and mentored intern Armond Dorsey, BA, teaching him market research skills, including how to conduct and analyze surveys. We also gave a law student the opportunity to draft a Non-Disclosure Agreement under supervision of an experienced. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Farm Leather utilized social media, email, phone calls, and informal networking to communicate both the results of our SBIR project and the financial support we received from USDA NIFA. Specifically, every business and organization that provided a Letter of Support and/or project assistance received a copy of our Phase II commercialization plan. Several of these supporters (e.g., American Grassfed Association) have large stakeholder audiences and frequently send their constituents our way. We also posted a "news release/blog" on: 1) LinkedIn; 2) the National Meat Processors Assistance Network (NMPAN) Google Group; 3) the Small Meat Processors Support Group on Facebook; and 3) the 350CO Local Food & Regenerative Ag Hub Facebook Group. These sites enabled us to disseminate our results to large, targeted communities. In response, we received dozens of favorable emails, comments, and offers of support. As of 7/9/21, 549 persons had viewed our LinkedIn post. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The purpose of Farm Leather's Phase I research was to determine whether gas flushed vacuum sealing (GFVS) was a viable method for short term hide preservation so that hides from small and mid-size farmers could be aggregated for small batch collagen production. The results of our Phase I experiments, as described below, impacted Farm Leather's raw material sourcing approach, research and development objectives, and commercialization strategy. Research Outcomes -- Fresh beef hides were obtained from the University of Florida Meat Center and from a local processor. One hundred square centimeter sections were cut from the hide. These sections were washed with fresh water to remove gross contamination. Six sections were placed into vacuum packaged bags. Bags were randomly assigned to modified atmosphere package methods and stored at 15°C for 0, 4, 7, 14, and 21 d. Vacuum package methods included control (no vacuum, seal only), vacuum seal (VAC), and vacuum seal with nitrogen flush (N2). On the assigned day, one section from each bag was stomached with 200ml 0.1% peptone water, serial diluted and plated on tryptic soy agar plated to determine total plate counts. Different packing methods had no effect on total plate count, which measures bacteria growth. In addition to analyzing putrefaction, hide samples were further processed to determine the potential quality of extracted proteins. GFVS had no impact (P > 0.71) on bloom strength or color parameters, indicating that the preservation method would not be viable for collagen production. Objective 1: Does lactic acid application prior to GFVS retard putrefaction? - Lactic acid spray was applied to a subset of hidesamples prior to vacuum sealing. The wash showed no benefit as measured by total plate counts. Objective 2: Does CFVS using nitrogen or carbon dioxide retard putrefaction of the washed hide for a minimum of two weeks? - Hide samples treated which the nitrogen flush showed no benefit as measured by total plate counts. Objective 3: What preservation times are achieved when testing the parameters of the system? - Anecdotally, hide samples appeared to stand up reasonably well for one week under all packaging conditions and washes, including the control. A two-week preservation time could not be achieved with the parameters tested. Objective 4: What temperature conditions are needed that will ensure sufficient preservation year-round and nationwide? -- All hide samples were stored at 59°F to prevent the growth of Clostridium perfringens, which is an anaerobic pathogen that produces a toxin. Failure of GFVS to preserve the hides adequately at this temperature obviated the need for further testing with additional temperature conditions. Impacts on Knowledge - The hide preservation experiments required researchers to look at the entire collagen production process to evaluate its impact on end product quality. In doing so, researchers discovered an alkaline unhairing treatment that offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional lime unhairing and also prevents hide putrefaction. Researchers learned that the alkaline unhairing process would continue to hydrolyze proteins unless halted with a pickling solution. Various experiments with the pickling solution resulted in a new pathway for preprocessing, preserving, and aggregating hides; and hence, a new value- added byproduct opportunity to be explored. Impacts on Business Approach Raw Material Sourcing - The impact of our vacuum sealing study combined with other lessons learned over the course of the project led Farm Leather to move away from sourcing preserved hides to sourcing fresh hides for collagen production. Experiments showed that we have a 7-day window to collect fresh hides stored at 59°F. Research and Development - R&D pivoted over the course of the Phase I project from hide preservation technology to designing a comprehensive manufacturing plant capable of taking fresh, raw hides and processing them into a finished collagen product. Commercialization Strategy - Going into the Phase I study, we thought that our customers would be collagen brands looking to source traceable, grass-fed ingredients. This business approach assumed Farm Leather would be both hide buyer and collagen manufacturer. As a result of stakeholder outreach, however, we discovered a ready customer base among niche meat processors, regenerative ranchers, and the companies and organizations supporting them who want to own and operate their own micro-scale facilities. Our commercialization strategy therefore shifted from the sale of consumer products to the sale/licensing of technology.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Manzoor, A., Allen, G., Brown, J., Brown, C., Winslow, B., Liuzzo, A. and Scheffler, J. M. (2021) Alkaline unhairing and pickling of bovine hides for gelatin extraction. Poster presentation at 74th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference, Reno, Nevada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Allen, G., Manzoor, A., Brown, J., Hersom, C., Brown, C., and Scheffler, J. M. (2021) Modified atmosphere packaging does not adequately preserve hides for gelatin production. Poster presentation at 74th Annual Reciprocal Meat Conference, Reno, Nevada.

Progress 09/01/20 to 04/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Farm Leather (now DBA Farm Ingredients) continued to expand our stakeholder network, using social media tools such as the Small Meat Processors Support Group on Facebook and the National Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) Google Group. We engaged in conversations about our mission and research, sought stakeholder input, and shared connections and expertise with small and medium-sized producers and abattoirs. As a result of our outreach efforts, we received unsolicited calls and emails from a number of influential stakeholders, including: Ranch Foods Direct, White Oak Pastures, Lorentz Meats, T&E Meats, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and board members from state associations of meat processors. Our target audience also includes potential strategic partners such as Land Grant Universities and not-for-profit organizations. We have ongoing conversations with the American Grassfed Association, Western Landowners Alliance, the Good Meat Breakdown, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Changes/Problems:Farm Ingredient's Phase I research goal continues to be short term hide preservation. While conducting initial experiments to test process parameters, researchers discovered that their oxidative-alkaline hide dehairing technique would also work as a hide preservative. Therefore, we've expanded the scope of Phase I work beyond gas flush vacuum sealing to include preservation by oxidative dehairing. The research team believes this second approach could: 1) be more user-friendly; 2) reduce the shipping weight, thus making aggregation more affordable; and 3) add value to the raw material by delivering a product already a step into the gelatin manufacturing process. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?At the University of Florida, Gainesville, two undergraduates are completing supervised independent research projects on different components of the study. They are supported by a team that consists of a Masters' student and five other undergraduates. A Fulbright PhD student will be added to the team as soon as permitted by his supporting agency. We anticipate at least two abstracts and a manuscript that will be authored and presented by this group of students. On the business side, we've brought on two paid interns, both 2020 college graduates and persons of color, to gain work experience in entrepreneurship and research planning for government grants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are initiating a series of staggered studies with the vacuum sealer using the workflow developed through our preliminary studies. The first set of studies will start the week of January 11, 2021and be completed by the end of January. Part of the research plan is to test the robustness of the process to determine the limits of preserving a dirtier hide. The lab work is expected to be completed and analyzed by the middle of February.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Our research team has completed preliminary work to define process parameters and secured all the equipmentand reagents needed to initiate the studies to complete these objectives. COVID has slowed progress due to personnel restrictions and delivery of equipment. Despite these challenges, we still anticipate completing the objectives by the deadline. The Vacuum sealer arrived on the December 30, 2020 and was uncrated and tested on New Year's Eve and is undergoing some additional adjustments and set up requirements. Once the research team is tested and cleared for COVID, grass fed hides will be picked up from Fort McCoy Ranch of Adena Farms.

Publications