Marbleseed, Inc.

The Pasture, Process, Plenty Studying a Local Meat Supply Chain Intends to Address the Meat Processing Challenges, Both Current and Anticipated, Impacting Farmers, Ranchers, Processors, and Consumers in Northwestern Wisconsin. the Project Will Convene All the Stakeholders to Identify and Develop a Comprehensive, Holistic Framework for Solving the Problem of Insufficient Meat Processing Options on a Regional Scale. the Study Will Focus on Solutions That Emphasize Collective Ownership, Equitable Access, and Widely Shared Benefit for Farmers, Processors, and Workers. It Will Connect Small Meat Processors and Farmers to Ensure Access to Processing Facilities and Financial Sustainability for the Meat Supply Chain in the Region. It Will Explore Alternative Ownership Structures for Processors That Are Looking to Retire Including Employee Owned Structures and Cooperatives, to Preserve and Expand Current Small Meat Processing Infrastructure and Jobs in Rural Communities. the Outcomes Will Include Designing a Viable, Detailed Business Model and Necessary Legal Structure, Determining the Capital Necessary to Actualize the Plan, and Working With State Agencies to Address Any Regulatory Barriers to Implementation as a Replicable Model. It Is the Collaborators Intent to Make This Feasibility Study and Resulting Business Plan and Model Widely Available and Adaptable Beyond Northwest Wisconsin, as It Addresses an Urgent Need for Small, Grass Based Livestock Producers Nationally.