Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences for this project are small ruminant producers in Virginia, extension agents, research scientists, undergraduate and graduate students. The data obtained from the design and implementation of a mobile slaughter and processing unit and all outputs generated in thisproject will be utilized to educate small ruminant producers and extension agents on humane slaughter and new avenues for marketing small ruminant products to promote increased productivity and profitability in the industry. Therefore, there will be an increase in knowledge and development of new marketing avenues in those trained (extension staff and producers in VA and regionally as well as students at VSU). Changes/Problems:Implementation of project objectives were slow/stagnant due to delays in final unit design approval, purchasing and building of the unit. Therefore, some project objectives are still underway. even though the project has ended. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Apart from linmited tours of the unit for extension personnel, university staff and faculty, no trainings have been conducted on the unit itself. During 2019, the unit was equipped and practice slaughter sessions were conducted to trouble shoot unit operation in the field. During 2020, all demonstration and training workshops were candelled due to the pandemic. In 2021, virtual trainings will be conducted along with smaller face-to-face workshops in the fall. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results for the project have been disseminated via presentations at local, state, and regional meetings. Additionally, results have been published in newsletters from VSU's College of Agriculture and the Association of Extension Administrators montly newsletter. An impact statement was also published on the Land Grant Impacts WebsiteHandouts were prepared and distributed at conferences and field days. Additionally, a webist was created to share updates on the unit https://www.ext.vsu.edu/mobile-processing-unit. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Even though the project has ended, VSU still plans on on completing all project objectives. The design and building of the unit delayed the project tremendously and then the pandemic hit which further delayed outputs. However, three 1-day workshops will be scheduled in 2021 (1 on-campus (VSU's Randolph Farm)and 2 at off-campus locations (collaborating with small ruminant producers and associations), to demonstrate and certify individuals on use and operation of the MSPU. Conditional grant of inspection was recieved in 2020, but due to the pandemic and delays in hiring a unit coordinator/butcher, our inspection number wasinactivated so the system wouldn't generate inspection tasks.Additionally, we will continue towork on finalizing the coordinated slaughter between the local food hub and small ruminant associationsand adjusting the operational budget to truly reflect what it would cost producers to use the MSPU and sustain the unit beyond the life of the grant.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the final year of the project, the mobile slaughter and processing unit was delivered to VSU (January, 2019); mobile unit curriculum were developed including; docking station requirements; set-up and takedown; Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) for sheep and goat processing; Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for sheep and goat processing; Hazard and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan; and First aid guide. Additionally, the unit received custom slaughter permit and a DEQ letter addressing wastewater application to fields.The unit was equipped and multiple practice processing runs were conducted to determine processing procedure and issues that need to be addressed. The issues noted were: low water pressure from the tank; insufficient heating of water; plumbing issues in the cold weather; faucets in sink breaking twice due to cold weather; and moisture issue in unit affecting equipment/scales. Most of these issues have been addressed to make the unit road ready and functional. A honey wagon was purchased for wastewater capture, the unit was wrapped and a unit coordinator/butcher was hired by the College of Agriculture in February 2021. Additionally, agrant of inspection was procured in 2020 and trainings and operation are expected tp start in Spring 2021. A website was also developed to disseminate information about the unithttps://www.ext.vsu.edu/mobile-processing-unit.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
D. O'Brien, S. Wildeus and T. Nartea. 2020. VSU's Mobile Unit Update. Roanoke VA
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Under Construction. Mobile Meat Processing Unit. VSU's College of Agriculture Connection Magazine. Vol 3 (2)
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Mobile Meat Processing Unit will Help Virginia's Small Ruminant Producers. VSU's College of Agriculture Connection Magazine. Vol 3 (1).
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
https://www.ext.vsu.edu/mobile-processing-unit
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
VSU's Mobile Slaughter Unit on the Move Soon. AEA Newsletter.
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Progress 09/01/17 to 08/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:Implementation of project objectives have been slow/stagnant due to delays in final unit design approval,purchasing and building of the unit. Due to this, the project coordinator requested a no-cost extension to complete the final objectives during year 4. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A poster of the project including project objectives and final unit design was developed and showcased at the 2018 National Goat Conference. Handouts were prepared and distributed at the conference and at the 2018 Small Ruminant Field Day and other related workshops at VSU. A presentation was requested and made to the Southern Virginia Meat Goat Association on the progress of the unit and what this resource could look like in the future. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Due to project delays in final unit design approval and the purchasing process, the project coordinator requested a no-cost extension to complete the final objectives during year 4. Therefore,the plan fornext year will be what was described for year 3. VSU personnel will finalize training modules on the following topic areas: 1) MSPU usage; 2) Slaughtering and Processing; 3) Regulations and 4) Financesand Marketing. Following unit arrival and the addition of slaughtering and processing equipment, three 1-day workshops will then be scheduled (spring and summer 2019), 1 on-campus (VSU's Randolph Farm) and 2 at off-campus locations (collaborating with small ruminant producers and associations), to demonstrate use of the MSPU, food safety/HACCP and direct marketing your products (food hubs, CSAs, farmers market and internet). Work towards state and federal certification for use of the MPSU as a resource by VA and regional small ruminant producers has already been initiated. Several applications have been submitted to theVirginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and awaste water management protocol is being drafted for DEQ inspection and approval. Co-PI Nartea and the PI will then work onfinalizing the coordinated slaughter between the local food hub and small ruminant associations and adjustingthe operational budgetto truly reflect what it would cost producers to use the MSPU and sustain the unit beyond the life of the grant. VSU's College of Agriculture will hire a unit coordinator and part-time butcher to assist in program objectives during the final year of the project who, along with the PI,will be tasked with making the unit sustainable.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During year 3, the MPSU was being built by Cargo Trailers Sales Inc. in Lansdale, PA and construction expected to be finished by October, 2018. Unit design inspection will take place in November for delivery to VSU before the end of 2018. Applications for State Meat and Poultry Inspection, Red Meat Permit of Operation and Establishment Hours of Operation has been submitted to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and a plant number has been assigned for the unit. Due to delays in design and procurement of the unit, a no-cost extension was requested and approved.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
D.J. OBrien, S. Wildeus, T. Nartea, A. Yousuf and Y, Xu. 2018. Design and implementation of a mobile slaughter and processing unit to assist VAs small ruminant producers. National Goat Conference Proceedings.
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Progress 09/01/16 to 08/31/17
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PI and two co-PIs have also completeda"Development and Implementation of Hazard Analysis and CriticalControl Point Programs" workshop that washeld in Chester, VA from September 28 - 30, 2016 and recieved certification. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?An informational posterand factsheetson the the objectives of the proposal, final unit design and futureavailability of the MSPU for producer use. These have been presented atregularly scheduled small ruminantextensionworkshops to increase awareness of the availability of a MSPU for use by producers inVirginia. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During year 3, VSU personnel will continue to work closely with VDACS to developtraining modules on the following topic areas: 1) MSPU usage; 2) Slaughtering and Processing; 3) Regulations; 4) Financesand Marketing. During year 3, following unit arrival and addition of slaughtering and processing equipment, three 1-day workshops will then be scheduled, 1 on-campus (VSU's Randolph Farm) and 2 at off-campus locations (collaborating with small ruminant producers and associations), to demonstrate use of the MSPU, food safety/HACCP and direct marketing your products (food hubs, CSAs, farmers market and internet).In addition, all project personnel will work towards seeking USDA certification for use of the MPSU as a resource by VA and regional small ruminant producers. Co-PI Nartea and the PI will then work to develop acoordinated slaughter with multiple farmers in a specific region (members of the Southern VA Meat Goat Association) combined with delivery to regional food hubs who have secured pre-purchased orders prior to slaughter. Due to project delays in final unit design approval and the purchasing process, the project coordinator plans to request a no-cost extension to complete the final objectives during year 4. This will include finalizing the coordinated slaughter between the local food hub and small ruminant associations as well as adjusting the operational budget to truly reflect what it would cost producers to use the MSPU and sustain the unit beyond the life of the grant.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During year 2, the project team has finalized the MPSU design and accepted a bid from Cargo Trailers Sales Inc. in Lansdale, VA in September with completion prior to February 1, 2018.The PI and two co-PIs have also completeda "Development and Implementation of Hazard Analysis and CriticalControl Point Programs" workshop that was held in Chester, VA from September 28 - 30, 2016 and the PI has developed adetailed draft operational manual incorporating Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Management Practices (GMPs)and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOPs) to guide the subsequent use of the MSPU. The next step will be to have all co-PIs and the advisory council review the draft manual and haveit ready for unit use next Spring/Summer. The advisory council includes members of the VA Department of Agriculture and ConsumerServices, Barry Jones (Inspection Manager, Office of Meat and Poultry Inspection), Nancy Yost (Office of Meat and PoultryInspection), and Gary Milton (Team Supervisor, Office of Meat and Poultry Inspection); members of VA CooperativeExtension and local small ruminant associations, John Thompson (Fluvanna County Extension Agent and coordinator ofCentral VA Small Ruminant Association), Marcia McDuffie (member of the Central VA Small Ruminant Association), David Wise (arepresentative from the Southern Virginia Meat Goat Association); membersof VSU's Small Farms Outreach Program, William Crutchfield (Director) and Derrick Cladd (agent).During year 2, the PI O'Brien and co-PINartea (both full-time Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialists) have also developed an informational poster and factsheets on the objectives of the proposal, final unit design and future availability of the MSPU for producer use. This has been presented atregularly scheduled small ruminant extensionworkshops to increase awareness of the availability of a MSPU for use by producers inVirginia.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
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?As stated above, the PI and co-PI (s) have met with VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) personnel as well as collaborators at Delaware State University to discuss the final design and layout of the proposed unit including features that should be included/considered to meet all state and federal regulations. The final design and all paperwork necessary to start the bidding process will be completed by the end of October. The unit will take approximately 6 months to build and providing some room for paperwork processing and design tweaking, we anticipate that unit will be built and available at VSUby the beginning of summer 2017. The PI and two co-PIs have also registered for a "Development and Implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Programs". During year 2, following completion of this training, the PI will guide the development of a detailed operational manual incorporating Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Management Practices (GMPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOPs) to guide the subsequent use of the MSPU.In addition, during year 2, VSU personnel will collaborate closely with VDACS to develop training modules on the following topic areas: 1) MSPU usage; 2) Slaughtering and Processing; 3) Regulations; 4) Finances and Marketing. Once complete, the operations manual and new training materials and curriculum will be reviewed by the projects advisory board (see evaluation plans) prior to distribution and publication. During year 2, the PI O'Brien and co-PI Nartea (both full-time Virginia Cooperative Extension Specialists) will also develop an informational flyer and 5-minute PowerPoint presentation on the availability of the MSPU for producer use to present at regularly scheduled extension workshops throughout the state. This will be done to increase awareness of the availability of a MSPU for use by producers in Virginia.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During year 1,the project team has continued to havemeetings with ourstate and federal agencies to determine current USDA/State guidelines for MSPU operation certification/permit requirements and procedures. Some of these discussions hadtaken place previously. In addition to meeting with these officials, the PI and one co-PI travelled to Delaware to meet with the research group that designed and built their MPSU. Changes to our draft design were made after both meetings and new quotes requested from two possible vendors including Cargo Trailers and Nomad Communications (built DE's unit) on our final design. VSU is currently reviewing the final design (includingsize, interior layout, floor drains, interior wall material, chilling method, water supply, wastewater/offal disposal, etc.)and in the process of completing paperwork to start the bidding process. The PI and two co-PIs have also registered for a "Development and Implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Programs" workshop that will be held in Chester, VA from September 28 - 30 in order to developa detailed operational manual incorporating Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Management Practices (GMPs) and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOPs) to guide the subsequent use of the MSPU. In addition, the advisory council for this project has been assembled and includes members of the VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Barry Jones (Inspection Manager, Office of Meat and Poultry Inspection), Nancy Yost (Office of Meat and Poultry Inspection), and Gary Milton (Team Supervisor,Office of Meat and Poultry Inspection); members of VA Cooperative Extension and local small ruminant associations, John Thompson (Fluvanna County Extension Agent and coordinator of Central VA Small Ruminant Association), and a representative from the Southern Virginia Meat Goat Association); members of VSU's Small Farms Outreach Program, William Crutchfield (Director) and Derrick Cladd (agent).Additional members will be added as we move through the objectives and milestones if their contribution will be beneficial to project implementation and success.
Publications
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