University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

December 18, 2006

Organic and Natural Livestock Marketing Information Meeting to be in Columbus

Also see . . .
this week's CropWatch story on five UNL mini-courses being held on Science-based Organic Farming

Producers interested in learning more about the growing demand for organic and natural meat products can attend an Organic and Natural Livestock Marketing Information Meeting from 1-4:30 p.m. Jan. 13 in Columbus. The meeting, sponsored by UNL Extension and the Nebraska Chapter of the Organic Crop Improvement Association, will be in Room 205 at Central Community College, 4500 63rd St. To register, call (402) 584-3837.

"Opportunities exist right now for livestock producers to profit from the rapidly growing demand for organic and natural meat products," said Liz Sarno, UNL Extension educator and organic project coordinator. "This meeting will help answer your questions."

Topics include: increasing livestock market value, how to sell livestock to natural or organic markets, how to diversify an operation, what it takes to transition a herd and the cost of organic certification and new opportunities for a son or daughter to stay on the farm.

Participants also will meet with other organic farmers and find out about their market strategies.

Speakers include: Allen Moody, beef and pork coordinator of CROPP Organic Valley Cooperative/Organic Prairie of La Farge, Wis., one of the largest organic market distributers in the U.S.; Klint Stewart, field agent for the Niman Ranch Pork Co., which buys hogs from more than 400 family farmers; Paul Rorbaugh, a leader in the direct marketing of meat to consumers in Nebraska, also a grass-finished beef and pastured poultry producer and director of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society; Randy Wattermann, a driving force behind the start of Nebraska Food Cooperative, which is a year-round, online farmer's market; and Lori Tatreau, local liaison for Whole Foods Market in Omaha and part-time UNO instructor, who will provide more details on Whole Foods' quality meat standards, approval process and new animal compassion program.

IANR News Release

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Copyright 2006 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. All rights reserved.
Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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