Maryland Niche Meats & Poultry Working Group

WANTED - Maryland farmers interested in carving out a marketing niche for their specialty meat and poultry products. The University of Maryland Extension Ag Marketing Program has organized a Maryland Niche Meats and Poultry Marketing Initiative.

The goals of this initiative include:

• Developing a searchable, geographic product database to facilitate product searches by consumers, restaurants, and institutional buyers - this effort will supplement, not replace the “Maryland’s Best” directory and other on-line listings.
  
  
• Providing information and resources for product development, regulatory issues, and collaborative marketing efforts.
  
  
• Offering training and economic analysis to determine “best fit’ business structures and the profit potential of niche meat markets in the mid-Atlantic region.

Niche meats are growing in popularity as consumers hunger for exotic flavors, such as grass-fed beef, goat, sheep and other livestock; while others seek to support small-scale farming and conservation; and health-conscious consumers pursue more nutritious meat produced and processed using non-conventional methods. But moving into niche meat production can be complicated.

Some Maryland meat and poultry producers have already mastered many of the components of marketing their products directly to the public. Their advice and expertise will be extremely valuable in this new collaborative effort.

Don’t go it alone. Complete the form if you like to be included in the directory and to receive more information about the Niche Meats & Poultry Producers Working Group.

Maryland Niche Meats Meats & Poultry Producers Directory (EB-402)

This directory serves as a way to connect buyers, consumers, producers and market masters to fresh, high-quality farm-raised meats from Maryland producers. For ease of aggregating suppliers, this directory has been organized by product, though many producers offer multiple products. USDA on listing only applies to Beef, Bison, Chevon, Lamb, and Pork.   Click here to go to our new online directory or you can download a printable version

Promotional Card Available for Niche Meats & Poultry Producers Working Group Members!

Members of the Maryland Niche Meats and Poultry Working Group can obtain a file of aspecialty designed promotional card to distribute to health centers, CSA shares, farmers' markets, etc. to promote their business. 

This promotional card was made possible by a grant from the Maryland Agricultural Council.

If you would like to get the promotional card or become a member of the Niche Meats & Poultry Working Group please contact Susan Barnes at sbarnes6@umd.edu or call 301-432-2767 x301

Find A Meat Processor Near You!

A number of states provide a list of processors. Formats vary and some lists contain subsets. Click here to see your state listing. Also, FSIS thru USDA provides a list of federally inspected processing establishments in pdf format. To access the FSIS Meat, Poultry, and Egg Product Inspection Directory click here...

MISSON STATEMENT

Is to foster the success of highly differentiated farm-raised meat and poultry value-chains that are profitable, that incorporate farmer ownership and control, and contribute to improved environmental stewardship and rural communities.