Zoom Seminars and Speakers –

Webinar 1: “Regenerative Grazing and Pasture Management Systems” – A blend of managing pasture-based systems while improving biodiversity and the eco-system. Making natural resource management a priority which results in environmental sustainability, improved animal performance, and  assures product quality. Speaker - Elizabeth Robinette, Lazy R Ranch, Cheney, WA.  Beth is a co-operator of Lazy-R-Ranch with her father Maurice.  Beth is also the co-founder of LINC Foods a farmer owned and operated cooperative food hub in Spokane, WA.  She is renowned in sustainable agriculture including land and livestock management and she couples that with business development.

Webinar 2: “Transparent Practices and Brand Establishment” – Target consumers with a story that aligns with your farming practices and philosophies on ethics as well as quality standards on meat production, processing, and distribution. Speaker - Michele Thorne, Executive Director and Aubrey Gallegos Programs Manager, Good Meat Project (GMP), Portland, OR.  The GMP focuses on transparency from start to finish. Whether you raise, butcher, cook, or eat meat, the GMP has created resources you’ll need, in one place to support the Good Meat Universe. These industry allies share their insights  into transparent practices as you expand your business. For more information about the Good Meat Project https://goodmeatproject.org/.

Webinar 3:  “Fresh Meat Quality and Palatability” – Meat quality is impacted in all stages of production, processing and distribution.   Why should this be important and how do you measure assuring that you are satisfying your consumers.  Educating your consumers on meat quality and providing them a product that meets their needs.  Speaker - Paul S. Kuber, Regional Extension Specialist, Washington State University Extension, Spokane, WA.  Paul has a long history in food animal production starting with raising sheep and expanding to commercial meat production.  Paul serves as an advisor with small scale meat animal producers as well as processors.

Webinar 4: “Nutrition and Feed Quality” – How balanced, high-quality nutrition, including grass-fed, grain-fed or grain supplemented directly affects animal health, performance and subsequent meat quality.  Speaker - Sarah M. Smith, Regional Extension Specialist, Washington State University Extension, Moses Lake, WA.  Sarah has continued the family tradition in the livestock industry in Pacific Northwest. She is an extension educator with Washington State University and has a national reputation within the livestock industry. Degrees and practice in livestock nutrition make her a great fit for this discussion.

Webinar 5: “Meat Business Evolution” – Understand the path of building a meat business from the ground-up. Livestock production on a small scale to vertically integrated approach through distribution.  How do you determine your market and build a brand at the local level without overextending yourself.  Customer communications is a combined effort to listen to your consumers and educate them about your operation. Speaker: Acee Lucero, Co-Owner and Operator APlus Ranch Organic Meats, Richfield, Idaho.   APlus Ranch is an organic operation that started with turkey production and has expanded to Beef and Chicken.  A holistic family run operation that supplies local and regional retail food outlets as well as restaurateurs. Acee will tell the story of building a livestock operation and expanding to meat sales and distribution and why APlus Ranch choose the path they are on. For more information about the APlus Ranch. https://www.aplusranchorganic.com