CORVALLIS, ORE. — Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service provided a recent update on its progress regarding a three-year, $650,000 grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designed to help add more workers through meat processing training.

OSU’s Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) continues to lead the multi-state effort to fill workforce positions at small and mid-sized meat plants, which it started in 2023.

Along with OSU, six other universities were awarded funds from a $4.5 million grant through the NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s Education and Workforce Development Program.

With its grant, NMPAN Director Rebecca Thistlethwaite conducted a survey examining the challenges faced by meat plant employees and employers. With the data, it helped develop training programs with its partners, Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC) and Northwest Meat Processors Association (NWMPA).

BMCC launched its Master Butcher Certification Program earlier this year and started its first-level course in  March 2025.

More than 40 people applied for the program, with 15 students selected to participate in the 12-week program. Two spots were reserved for members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).

Other modules BMCC and NMPAN are looking at for the future including food safety and entrepreneurship.

While working on this butcher program, the NWMPA established its apprenticeship program for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, which helps workers partner with mentors, providing them with an opportunity to develop new skills.

According to Thistlethwaite, workers who complete the BMCC program will help funnel graduates into the apprenticeship program.

“We wanted to design a program that gives workers the skills to get hired, advance in the workforce, obtain living wages and be ready to launch their own businesses,” Thistlethwaite said.