Progress 09/15/23 to 09/14/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Workers and producers in the meat and poultry processing sector across the farm, processing and distribution levels to manage risk and enhance their performance and viability. We are targeting the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) size classification. The North Central Center serves a 12-state region: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI. The four projects are hosted in the states of IA, MO, NE, and SD and will reach audiences in those states and beyond. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In April 2024, the MPP project directors attended a training session during the 2024 National Extension Risk Management Education Conference and provided an overview and update of their work while receiving some continuing training support for project management and evaluation. 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?During the next reporting period, we will continue to monitor and manage the progress of our four ongoing Meat & Poultry Processing subawards. Quarterly Progress Reports are required and these must be submitted and reviewed prior to the approval of outstanding invoice requests. We will continue to review invoices for appropriate expenditures and ensure that they are spending according to the approved budget, as well as approve invoices for payment. We will work with the PDs on any requests they have to make changes to their grant (budget revision, change in PD, change in scope).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center (NCERMEC or the "Center") delivers risk management education to help agricultural producers manage risks and position their farm or ranch for future growth and success. These efforts have been extended to include the meat and poultry processing sector. The support of small- and medium-sized meat and poultry processing capacity is needed for strong food systems and local food production. The Meat and Poultry Processing competitive grant program targets the small and medium sized enterprise(SMEs) size classification so that workers and producers across the farm, processing, and distribution levels can better manage risk and enhance their performance and viability. The Center implemented a competitive grants program for education projects that deliver or lead to producer-focused, outcomes-based risk management education. The Centers efforts will provide education and training for meat and poultry producers, processors, and distributors, which in turn will enable SMEs to make sound risk management decisions. Competitive Grants Program. The period of performance for the four grants funded under this award is two years: June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2025. We are currently managing these projects through progress report review, review of invoices for allowable expenses, and handling any project change requests that arise. During this reporting period, four progress reports have been due for each project and all reporting is current. The remaining progress reports are due December 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025. The four projects in the North Central Region are providing valuable educational content for meat processors in the region. A project focusing on processors in South Dakota and Minnesota is currently developing a video and written tutorial for red meat fabrication to improve management and processing skills. A project in Nebraska is currently running a management training program for processors and is developing a booking platform that can be used to schedule and coordinate processing times. A project in Iowa has developed and delivered the first of two planned statewide meetings for processors to address multiple marketing, financial, and business principles. A fourth project, titled the "Educational Program on Meat and Poultry Processing and Marketing Opportunities for Small-Scale Farms in Missouri" and led by Homero Salinas-Gonzalez of Lincoln University of Missouri, provides a detailed illustration of how the projects have worked to date.The project director and project team members have held several educational opportunities serving small-scale farmers in Missouri. Overall, these activities have contributed to the dissemination of knowledge and best practices in small ruminant production, marketing, and meat processing. Educational Video Production: As part of the efforts to educate about meat fabrication, they produced a video demonstrating the fabrication of meat. This video serves as a valuable resource for individuals interested in understanding the process of meat processing and fabrication. Link: https://youtu.be/8wnCM-dQaQc They held a goat carcass meat cutting demonstration in fall of 2023 providing valuable insights into proper techniques, yielding high-quality cuts of meat. This empowered local farmers with essential skills for sustainable livestock processing and meat production. Small Ruminant Extension Fall Field Day - Meat Processing Workshop on Oct. 5, 2023. This event aimed to equip farmers with knowledge and skills that could improve the sustainability and profitability of their operations. Small Ruminant Webinar Series: Two webinars have beenheld focusing on federal and state regulations for meat and poultry in direct markets and providing insights into lamb cuts, direct marketing strategies, and cooking recommendations. A Meat Processing Workshop was held at Lincoln University Carver Farm. The program included sessions on various topics such as meat science, beef quality, forequarter and hindquarter fabrication, and evaluation. The event aimed to provide hands-on learning experiences and insights into meat processing. Capacity-Building Educational Materials and Training. In April 2024, the MPP project directors attended a training session during the 2024 National Extension Risk Management Education Conference and provided an overview and update of their work while receiving some continuing training support for project management and evaluation. Reporting and Communication. The projects are ongoing and we will focus on building a portfolio of stories and other media content on funded projects as they progress and wrap up their program.
Publications
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Progress 09/15/22 to 09/14/23
Outputs
Target Audience:Workers and producers in the meat and poultry processing sectoracross the farm, processing and distribution levels to manage risk and enhance their performance and viability. We are targeting the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) size classification. The North Central Center serves a 12-state region: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, and WI. The four projects are hosted in the states of IA, MO, NE, and SD and will reach audiences in those states and beyond. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A webinar for potential applicants was held on December 20, 2022 to describe the funding opportunity, the evaluation criterion, and how to apply (29 participants). Training on project management and implementationwas provided to the grants selected for funding. The PDs received information on their role and responsibilities when it comes to managing their grant (invoice procedures, project changes, funding acknowledgement requirements, and reporting); evaluation processes and outcomes; and information on how to marketprogramming. 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?During the next reporting period, we will continue to monitor and manage the progress of our four ongoing Meat & Poultry Processing subawards. Quarterly Progress Reports are required and these must be submitted and reviewed prior to the approval of outstanding invoice requests. We will continue to review invoices for appropriate expenditures and ensure that they are spending according to the approved budget, as will as approve invoices for payment. We will work with the PDs on any requests they have to make changes to their grant (budget revision, change in PD, change in scope). In April, the project directors will be asked to attend the 2024 National Extension Risk Management Education Conference to participate in professional development opportunities, networkwith other MPP PDs, and share project efforts and accomplishments thus far withthe work they are doing in the MPP arena.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center (NCERMEC or the "Center") delivers risk management education to help agricultural producers manage risks and position their farm or ranch for future growth and success. These efforts have been extended to include the meat and poultry processing sector. The support of small- and medium-sized meat and poultry processing capacity is needed for strong food systems and local food production. The Meat and Poultry Processing competitve grant program targets thesmall and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) size classification so that workers and producers across the farm, processing, and distribution levels canbetter manage risk and enhance their performance and viability. The Center implemented a competitive grants program foreducation projectsthat deliver or lead to producer-focused, outcomes-based risk management education. The Centers efforts will provide education and training for meat and poultry producers, processors, and distributors, which in turn will enable SMEs to make sound risk management decisions. Competitive Grants Program. Together, with the other regional Centers, the North Central Center worked to develop a common Request for Applications (RFA) focused on risk management education for meat and poultry processing. This RFA was released November 29, 2022 and closed on January 26, 2023. At the close of the RFA, the Center received 7applications to consider requesting over $985k in funding. A national review panel was convened, which consisted of 2 individuals per region.The selected panel membersrepresented various aspects of the meat and poultry production and processing industry. After a full review following a process similar to that outlined in the ERME Operational Guidelines, four of the projects were recommended for funding from the North Central region for a total of $513,800 in funding. The period of performance for these grants is two years: June 1, 2023 - May 31, 2025. We are currently managing these four projects through progress report review, review of invoices for allowable expenses, and handling any project change requests that arise. Capacity-Building Educational Materials and Training. Given the target audience of this grant program differed from that of our traditional ERME focus, the North Central centerworked to build an email listserve to reach additional potential applicants that included meat and poultry associations, processors, and others in the meat & poultry processing arena.The announcement of this funding opportunity went out to 40 meat & poultry processing focusedcontacts in addition to those contacts (1,290) on our traditional mailing list. A webinar for potential applicants (29 attended live) was held on December 20, 2022 to describe the funding opportunity, the evaluation criteria, and how to apply. Training was provided to Project Directors (PDs) of the grants selected for funding. The PDs received information on their role and responsibilities when it comes to managing their grant (invoice procedures, project changes, funding acknowledgement requirements, and reporting); evaluation processes and outcomes; and information on how to marketprogramming. Reporting and Communication. Our efforts to expand our reach and make the MPP RFA known to a larger audience is described above. The projects are ongoing and we will focus on building a portfolio of stories and other media content on funded projects as they progress and wrap up their program.
Publications
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