PENDLETON, ORE. — Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC), while partnering with the Northwest Meat Processors Association, announced the launch of its Master Butcher Certificate Program.

“Whether you’re looking to begin a career in butchery, expand your skills, or start your own meat processing business, the Master Butcher Certificate Program offers comprehensive instruction in humane animal slaughter, carcass dressing, muscle identification, and the quality butchery of key livestock species,” BMCC said on its website.

The program will provide participants with hands-on training experience and is broken down into three levels.

The first level begins in March 2025 and lasts 12 weeks. The other two levels, which focus on Food Safety & Quality and Meat Entrepreneurship & Management, respectively, will be offered in the 2025-2026 school year.

BMCC confirmed that the program would be a hybrid format, with online courses that can be completed from home, alongside four required in-person workshops held on weekends at the BMCC campus.

In order to complete the level one certificate, participants must complete three of four weekend workshops.

The program is limited to just 15 students, with two spots reserved for members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

Some scholarships for the program are available.

More information about the requirements and eligibility can be found here.

The Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service and Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) initiated plans for these programs in 2023.