WILLMAR, Minn. – The Minnesota Farmers Union Bottleneck Project Team will host a ‘Meatpreneurs’ workshop on Saturday at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 713 12th Street S.W., Willmar, MN 56201. There is no cost to attend.

The ‘Meatpreneurs’ workshop is targeted to those interested in local meat processing. The workshop will include information about a unique structured apprenticeship program that can enable an aspiring meat business owner to learn the skills required to operate a processing business as they work under the guidance of experienced owner/trainer. Speakers from Willmar’s Bremer Bank, Marshall’s Small Business Development Center, Ridgewater Technical College Meat Cutting Program, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Latino Economic Development Center and CLUES will speak about programs and resources that can assist a ‘Meatpreneur’ on the path from working at to the purchase and ownership of a local meat processing business. Rounding out the program will presentations by two local processors from Kerkhoven who will share their experiences in the business.

The program begins with registration at 10 a.m. Saturday and concludes by 1:30 p.m. Lunch is included. Registration is requested at https://z.umn.edu/WillmarSignUp to be sure there’s an accurate count for lunch.

“This workshop is designed to give interested people a snapshot of the ‘how to’ when it comes to owning and managing their own small meat shop or locker,” said Paul Sobocinski, workshop organizer. “It’s for anyone who has thought ‘maybe, at some point, I’d like to be an entrepreneur.’”

The Bottleneck Project Team began working in 2021 to identify and minimize local meat processing bottlenecks. The need for skilled labor and an effective program designed to ease the business transition from a retiring owner to the next successful operator were two issues identified by meat owners that the Bottleneck Team interviewed.

The Bottleneck Project was developed with the support of the Minnesota Farmers Union, University of Minnesota Rural Sustainable Development Program and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to support family farmers and the local food economy in rural Minnesota.

“Local meat processing is so important to farmers and rural communities,” said Tom Nuessmeier, project team member. “As a farmer who relies on a local locker to market a share of my livestock, I see how this benefits me, the local business community and the local food economy. Working to help ensure that these entrepreneurs have the skills and resources to keep these networks thriving is what this event is all about.”

For more information, call Paul Sobocinski at (507) 430-1509.

About Minnesota Farmers Union

Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org and follow MFU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

# # #

Minnesota Farmers Union—Standing for Agriculture, Working for Farmers (www.mfu.org).