March 18-20, 2025: NC Choices, in collaboration with our colleagues at Cornell University, will offer a series of workshops featuring *new* Meatsuite tools designed for local meat producers interested in advancing their direct marketing strategies from gate to plate. The workshop series will debut a new Processor Directory and the new Bundle Builder tool to create a variety of assorted bundle boxes and products that suit your target audience. We will also cover assessing livestock for finish, the economics of value-added processing options, strategies to deepen working relationships with processors, as well as some new features and resources added to MeatSuite.com. Sessions will also include ways that producers can develop their pricing strategies to maximize their profits when marketing local meats directly to consumers. Pre-registration is required since meals are included. We look forward to seeing you there!

Speaker Bios: 

Matt LeRoux- Marketing Specialist at NC Choices & Cornell University
Matt has over 20 years’ experience serving farms through Cornell Cooperative Extension, non-profits, and consulting. Specializing in market strategy, Matt works with a diverse mix of produce and livestock farmers and food businesses. Career highlights include developing the Marketing Channel Assessment Tool for produce growers and the Cornell Meat Price Calculator. 

Sarah Blacklin- NC Cooperative Extension Program Director at NC Choices.
Since 2003, Sarah has helped small NC farmers maximize direct and wholesale marketing efforts to enhance profitability. Sarah’s work has gained attention on the local and national level. 

Lee Menius- Technical Specialist at NC Choices
Throughout his career, his work has focused on educational projects and working with producers to develop effective pasture-based systems. 

Dates and Locations: 

Tuesday, March 18
Dinner provided 5:30-6:00pm
Presentation 6:00-8:00pm
Location: 307 Cultivation Cir Monroe, NC 28112
Contact: Rachel Owens
Register here.

Wednesday, March 19
Dinner provided 5:30-6:00pm
Presentation 6:00-8:00pm
Location: 1175 S Brady Avenue, Newton, NC 28658
Contact: Carson Johnson
Register here.

Thursday, March 20
Piedmont Custom Meats Tour (optional): 2:00-3:00pm
Presentation 3:00-5:00pm
Dinner provided 5:00-6:00pm
Location: Piedmont Custom Meats 430 State Hwy 49, Asheboro, NC
Contact: Adam Lawing
Register here.

Program Support Provided By:

Funding for Project was made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service through grant 21FMPPNC1068-00. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA. Funding is also provided by Northeast Extension Risk Management and Southern Extension Risk Management and #20227042038269 to Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).