Beyond the Hook: Executive Development for Meat Processors
Helping small meat processors plan, manage, and grow
Beyond the Hook is an executive development program for owners, managers and future leaders of small and mid-size meat processing plants, built around four areas:
- Improving profitability
- Strengthening your team and leadership
- Optimizing your operations
- Professional and operational growth
Launched by Nebraska Extension, the program is built and delivered by expert faculty in Meat Science and Agricultural Economics, in conjunction with the College of Business at Nebraska and the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Offering a weeklong Executive Development Program and single-day Business Accelerator Roundtables:
Executive Development Program
Weeklong program in Lincoln, Neb.
Beyond the Hook's flagship Executive Development Program gives you a week away from the daily grind to work on the business side of the business, alongside other processors who are dealing with the same pressures you are. The experience is based on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus, where you'll learn from faculty and industry experts while meeting other owners, managers, and future leaders in the meat industry.
Custom exempt, state-inspected, and federally inspected plants from across the U.S. are encouraged to apply. Up to two people from each accepted plant are eligible to participate.
The next program is tentatively schedule for March 7-13, 2027, in Lincoln, where participants will learn to better understand their business and future goals through building knowledge of the industry, their employees, financial management, and more.
Check this page for more information this fall or sign up here or the link below to be notified when the application and more details are available.
Business Accelerator
Single-Day Roundtables
Beginning in fall 2026, we're taking the program on the road with the new Beyond the Hook: Business Accelerator roundtable sessions in communities across the country.
Each roundtable brings together a small group of processors to work with UNL faculty and local experts. You'll leave with tools you can put to use the same week, not just ideas to think about later. They'll pull the most practical lessons from our executive development program into single-day sessions on pricing and plant economics; hiring and retention; and fresh and processed meat practices.
It's one day and the topics that matter most, all closer to home.
We're working on announcing dates and locations for this fall in Nebraska and surrounding states, with the goal of expanding further in spring 2027.
Check back here for location announcements or sign up here or below and we'll email you when we have more details.
What You'll Learn
1. Improved Profitability
- Pricing strategies
- Plant economics
- Throughput financials
2. Stronger Teams
- HR & legal
- Hiring & retention
- Leadership training
3. Optimized Operations
- Lean production
- Improving efficiency
- Workflow & capacity
4. Industry Growth
- Fresh & processed meats
- Processing techniques
- Product quality
Video: Hear from Past Participants
Questions?
Contact program faculty:
Dr. Elliott Dennis
Associate Professor, Meat and Livestock Economist
elliott.dennis@unl.edu
402-472-2164
Dr. Jordan Wicks
Assistant Professor, Meat Science Specialist
jwicks4@unl.edu
402-472-0537
Dr. Gary Sullivan
Professor, Meat Science
gary.sullivan@unl.edu
402-472-6430
Program FAQs
Q: Who should apply for the Executive Development Program?
A: Owners, mangers, and management-track employees of custom exempt, state-inspected, and federally inspected plants from across the U.S. are encouraged to apply. Up to two people per plant will be accepted. Plants in every stage of development and experience are welcome.
Q: Can processors outside of Nebraska apply to the Executive Development Program?
A: Yes, and we encourage it! Processors from across the United States are welcome.
Q: Who runs the Executive Development Program?
A: The program was created in 2024 by faculty members in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Animal Science and Department of Agricultural Economics. The founders serve as the main instructors for the program, which also includes experts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Business and the Nebraska Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Faculty bring in other industry and business experts as speakers and guest instructors as well.
Q: How long is the Executive Development Program?
A: The program is typically held on seven consecutive days, usually starting late afternoon on Sunday and concluding by early afternoon the following Saturday. Participants should plan to arrive by 2 p.m. CT on the first day of the program and stay through noon CT on the final day, unless otherwise noted as the schedule is subject to change. We will communicate with accepted participants.
Q: What if I'm unable to attend the entire program?
A: This is an intensive leadership development program and participants are encouraged to attend the entire week. It is built so that each day is impactful and participants who miss any day(s) will not successfully complete the program. Per program policy, program fees are non-refundable.
Q: Where is the Executive Development Program held?
A: Most days, we'll be on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus in Lincoln, Nebraska. The first and last meetings (Sunday and Saturday) are usually held at the program hotel. Transportation is typically provided to any offsite locations.
Q: What does the program fee cover?
A: The program fee is charged per plant and covers up to two individuals from that plant. It includes lunch and may include some dinners. Lodging and transportation to and from Lincoln, Nebraska are not covered in the program fee.
Q: Is my program fee refundable?
A: It is our policy that no refunds will be issued in the event that participants need to leave early or cannot participate.
Q: How does lodging and in-town transportation work?
A: The program will arrange a group rate at an area hotel for participants who travel to the area for the program. Information will be shared with all accepted participants. Each plant is responsible for booking and paying for their own lodging and any parking fees. Shuttle service is provided by the program between the hotel and program activities.
Q: Who is responsible for arranging and paying for travel to Lincoln, Nebraska?
A: Each participant is responsible for making their own travel arrangements and paying for the cost to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska. The program does not cover the cost of transportation to Lincoln or make any arrangements for participants. Lincoln has a smaller airport, but is very convenient. The airport in Omaha typically has more options but is about an hour away.