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NMPAN Staff Office Hours- Ask questions, get advice Rebecca Thistlethwaite Director Click to Schedule 30 Minute with Rebecca Thistlethwaite, NMPAN Director David Zarling Program Manager Click to Schedule 30 minutes with David Zarling, NMPAN Program Manager Meat & Poultry Processing Technical Assistance Consultants- Experts on different aspects of the meat supply chain & processing. Ready […]
Here you’ll find links to research papers by NMPAN staff and others. If you have research papers you’d like to see listed here, please send us an email: thistler@oregonstate.edu. Citations listed by order of publication (newest to oldest). Gwin, L. & Thistlethwaite, R. (2024). Meat and Poultry Processing Regulations in Oregon: A Short Guide. OSU […]
Poultry are unique in the meat processing world. There are different regulations, poultry specific processors, allowances for on-farm processing, mobile poultry processing units, and specific food safety research that pertains to poultry. Now you can find all the NMPAN resources on these subjects on one page. For a list of independent USDA-inspected poultry processing plants, […]
NMPAN webinars are recorded and archived below, by topic.A few selected webinars from other groups are also listed. Click on a webinar’s title for the slides, speaker info, and the recording. Topic Areas (click to jump to a topic): Local Meat and Poultry Processing: the Big Picture Regulations and Policy Plant Operations Management and […]
Updated 4.23.2026 As a small plant operator, you probably already know that FSIS issues directives to provide official communications and instruction to Agency personnel in carrying out their functions. These directives are usually issued for an indefinite duration and are identified by a series number and title. It’s important for you to familiarize yourself with […]
How To Use the USDA FSIS Website This page overviews resources available on the USDA-FSIS Small & Very Small Plants Web Page. In addition to those explained here, other resources exist, such as Resources to assist with compliance askFSIS Export/import information Indexes for FSIS Directives, Notices and Guidelines. This is an incredibly helpful tool for […]
<< Back What’s on this page? Meat processing rules and regulations are complex but not impossible to understand. In the words of one of our favorite processors, Will Harris of White Oak Pastures, “you gotta keep the meat cool, clean and covered.” Maintaining proper temperatures, good sanitation, and protection from foreign elements (indoors and […]
NMPAN is program of the Center for Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems (CRAFS) within the College of Agriculture at Oregon State University. Since 2008, NMPAN has created a robust national community of practice of people and organizations helping small meat processors thrive by sharing information and innovation. Small and mid-sized plants — when available at […]
NMPAN is a national community of practice of people and organizations helping small meat processors thrive, and growing our shared wealth of information and innovation. We offer tools and information for small processors and the farmers, marketers, and meat buyers who depend on them. Learn more about NMPAN and NMPAN people. Beginner’s Guide to Local Meat Processing […]
Poultry processing regulations can be confusing, especially for small operations. Here we walk you through the federal law and small-scale exemptions and state-level laws and regulations. Table of Contents Federal Law and Exemptions NMPAN Webinars about the Poultry Processing Exemptions Poultry Processing Regulations by State Other Resources Federal Law and Exemptions The Law The federal […]
State Listings A number of states provide a list of processors; we have collected these lists here. Some lists are only subsets (e.g. only state-inspected plants, not federal). Formats vary, from downloadable pdf to searchable online database. If you know of a state list that isn’t posted here, email us. If you find out […]
One-on-One Marketing Assistance In partnership with the Good Meat Project, we are providing done-for-you marketing packages for farmers, butchers, and retailers to elevate their game. Each participant of Hands-Free Marketing will get a chance to “hire” a marketing professional, courtesy of GMP! Our professionals will help participants with either branding and design or strategic writing for […]
Is this project even feasible? Every meat processing plant needs the following equation to be successful: Capital + Customers + Talent/Staff = Potential Success. What is the best way to ensure these key parts of the equation are there? Write a feasibility study first (watch this webinar here to learn more about what these […]
What’s on this page? Here you’ll find resources for planning a new meat processing business or expanding an existing one. The economics of small-scale meat processing are tough. It is a capital-intensive, thin-margin, high-risk business. A solid business plan is absolutely essential in this industry. There are several links here to help you get started: […]
What’s on this page? Building a meat plant is no easy job. Even commercial contractors may not be familiar with the ins and outs of building a food processing plant that needs to be constantly washed down, contains rooms held at -20˚F, and has 1,000+ lb. carcasses hanging from rails throughout the plant. Much information […]
Staff Rebecca Thistlethwaite Director Rebecca stepped into the Director role at NMPAN in 2019 after three years as the Program Manager. She has a master’s degree in International Agricultural Development from the University of California – Davis and was formerly co-owner of TLC Ranch, a mid-scale organic pastured poultry and livestock enterprise in California. She […]
HACCP and Meat Cutting Courses Blue Mountain Community College has launched their Master Butcher Certificate Program! The program, developed in collaboration with industry experts and the Northwest Meat Processors Association, will provide participants with hands-on training and essential knowledge for success in this rewarding field. Whether you’re looking to begin a career in butchery, expand your […]
Job Postings Plant Supervisor Location: Detroit, Michigan Job Title: Plant Supervisor (Working Lead)Location: Detroit, MIEmployment type: Full time, salaried, working manager roleReports to: Director of Operations About Marrow Detroit ProvisionsWe are building a small, efficient USDA inspected plant that produces high quality retail and foodservice protein products that our restaurants and butcher shops are known […]
Showing Up When It Matters: How McPhee’s Butchery Turned a Tough Season Into Community Support When pressure hits a community, you quickly learn who’s willing to roll up their sleeves. With inflation soaring to all-time highs and SNAP benefits shrinking just as families brace for the holidays, many small processors and producers are feeling the […]