Meat Processing Management Training Program

Program Overview

Nebraska Extension, UNL's Center for Agricultural Profitability and UNL's Department of Animal Science's Meat Science program will host their inaugural Meat Processing Management Training program for owners, managers and management-track employees of small meat processing plants, from March 2024 to March 2025.

The 12-month program will offer a virtual/in-person hybrid experience to guide participants in working to ensure a successful and profitable future through understanding their business and future goals while developing a continuous improvement mindset. The program aims to help managers build their knowledge of the industry, their employees, financial management, and more.

Custom exempt and federally inspected plants are encouraged to apply. Up to two people per plant will be accepted.

Application and Enrollment

The application for this program is closed. 

Fee: When participants are accepted into the program, a fee of $2,500 will be due by Feb. 15, 2024. This includes a $2,000 deposit, which will be returned upon completion of the program. This is a per-plant fee and covers up to two participants.

Financial Terms: The $2,000 deposit will be returned upon program completion. The entire $2500 amount will be retained by the program if participants drop out, do not complete two or more activities, or do not participate in the site visit.

Program Curriculum

In-person meetings:The program will hold three in-person meetings on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus: one at the beginning of the program, one at the midpoint, and one at the end.

Site visit: One site visit will be held during the program when program instructors will visit your plant.

Virtual: Most months will feature the following required virtual elements:

• Two 60-minute recorded presentations
• One 60-minute live Q&A and review session
• One 60-minute producer presentation
• One assignment to implement and monitor practice (i.e. Key Performance Indicators) in plant moving forward

Planned Topic Schedule

• March 2024: (In-Person, at NAMP) Kickoff Meeting
• April 2024: Measuring, Recording, and Using Data
• May 2024: Getting Customers
• June 2024: Selling Product Direct to Consumers
• July 2024: Regulatory Compliance
• August 2024: Fresh Meat Processing
• September 2024: Value-Added Processing
• September 2024: (In-Person, at UNL) Mid-Program Meeting with USDA-AMS
• October 2024: Plant Optimization, Part 1
• November 2024: Plant Optimization, Part 2
• December 2024: Human Resources
• January/February 2025: Site Visits to Participant Plants by Program Instructors
• March 2025: (In-Person, at NAMP) Wrap-Up Meeting, Improvement