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Legislators Need to Bolster Local Processing in 2022

By Sarah Goldman
January 6, 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of global, concentrated supply chains. In addition, farmers adopting regenerative practices and growing food that nourishes people in Minnesota need markets to sell their production to. That’s why the Land Stewardship Project will be working during the 2022 session of the Minnesota Legislature to pass policies that help create a more resilient food and farm system. Here are three food-related areas LSP will be working on during the session:

Transition Planning

Just as farm owners face many challenges transitioning their operations to the next generation of farmers, so too do meat processors face significant obstacles in creating sustainable business transition plans when they reach retirement age. Often, a lack of holistic business transition planning leads to processors closing their doors when they reach retirement age or passing on their business to new owners who are not well prepared or informed about how to continue operating small processing facilities.

LSP is proposing a multi-faceted approach to business transition planning and transfer, including financial resources, incentives, and technical assistance. LSP feels the Minnesota Department of Agriculture should prioritize funding small meat processing projects that make necessary upgrades to existing facilities so that they can meet new inspection requirements, as well as projects that facilitate thoughtful business transition to new ownership and incentivize business planning.

Certification & Training

All meat and poultry processors under federal or state inspection are required to have Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan or plans in place. These measures help ensure that meat and poultry processors are producing safe products. However, there are limited HACCP training courses available in Minnesota to meet this requirement. LSP would like to see state funding to support HACCP training courses through local colleges, and funding for processors attending certification and training courses.

Workforce Shortages

Many meat processors cannot recruit and retain skilled workers to keep small plants running. In addition, when workers are available, plant managers often need to provide extensive training due to workers’ lack of previous experience in meat processing and meat cutting. The recent development of new meat processing courses and certification at two local Minnesota colleges is promising, but often students who would like to attend these colleges and become certified in meat processing face financial barriers to enrollment.

LSP would like to see state funding for tuition support for students interested in and committed to studying meat processing and pursuing a career in this sector. LSP would also like to see the creation of an apprenticeship navigator position to help connect meat processors to existing resources to facilitate apprenticeship opportunities.

LSP organizer Sarah Goldman can be contacted via e-mail or at 612-400-6341. More on LSP’s regional food systems work is at landstewardshipproject.org/regional-food-systems.

Category: Blog
Tags: COVID • food safety • HACCP • local meat processing • meat processing • Minnesota Legislature • regional food systems

Upcoming Events

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July 2022

Wednesday July 6

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Farming in Karst Country
Farming in Karst Country
Wednesday July 6
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

A special LSP workshop called “Farming in Karst Country” will highlight the intersection of soil-building farming practices, water movement, and karst geology. Local farmer presenters and karst geologists will share how practices like no-till, cover crops and intensive, rotational grazing can improve the health of the soil and underground streams. The Bishop family will host the event at Niagara Cave. The cost to attend is $20 for adults, $10 fo runder 16, and includes a cave tour and dinner. Space is limited to 75 participants. For details and to register, click here.

Tuesday July 12

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Deep Canvassing Training
LSP Deep Canvassing Training
Tuesday July 12
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Deep canvassing is a candid, non-judgmental, two-way conversation where canvassers ask voters to share their relevant, emotionally significant experiences and reflect on them aloud. It is one of the most durable and proven forms of persuasion when talking to people who might hold differing beliefs than you and is going to be critical in creating the world we want and need.

Join the Land Stewardship Action Fund to learn about deep canvassing, what it is and why it’s important, and get trained on how to deep canvass so you’re able to powerfully participate in LSAF’s upcoming deep canvasses and put these important skills to use in your community. Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/f4vV9QoSbUWMe4UVzQFrVg2.

Wednesday July 13

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
LSP Small Grains Deep Dive
LSP Small Grains Deep Dive
Wednesday July 13
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Come join Terry Cunningham, producer of certified organic commodities for 34 years, and Nic Podoll, small grains specialist with the Rodale Institute, as well as resource specialists from the Freeborn County Soil and Water Conservation District, for this peer-to-peer information and discussion field day.
 
This field day will include information and discussion about Cunningham’s experiences over three decades raising corn, soybeans, oats, alfalfa, barley, field peas, winter rye, winter wheat, triticale, spelt, and sweet clover.
 
This event is free; dinner will be provided; a free-will offering for the meal is welcomed. For more information and to register, click here.

Tuesday July 19

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk at Knutson Shorthorns
LSP Grazing Group Pasture Walk at Knutson Shorthorns
Tuesday July 19
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Zach Knutson of Knutson Shorthorns is hosting a pasture walk for area graziers to show specialty crops grown in bale residue left behind by cows from winter-feeding. A range of specialty crops planted include: tomatoes, peppers, huckleberries, sweet corn, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, eggplant, and more. 
 
Also on the farm, cattle are grazing an 11-way mix of summer annuals (dwarf sorghum-sudan, BMR grazing corn, crimson clover, mung beans, sun hemp, collards, African cabbage, kale, baldy safflower, plantain, and chicory). There will be discussions around integrating livestock and specialty crop production, marketing to a wider audience with limited additional land or labor, and extended grazing. To register, click here.

Tuesday July 26

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
LSP Virtual Policy Organizing Meeting
LSP Virtual Policy Organizing Meeting
Tuesday July 26
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join LSP as we launch our first of many Monthly Virtual Policy Organizing Meetings! On the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. we will gather to learn about what is happening at the state, local, and federal level; take collective action together; dive into an issue campaign of your choice; and break out into regional groups to build relationships with other LSPers in your area. For more information or to register, see https://secure.everyaction.com/CwoHag9NBUC4XpuCKAIhCg2.

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  •  ‘Farming in Karst Country’ Workshop July 6 at Niagara Cave in Harmony June 16, 2022
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