Production Knowledge Support Small Producer Production Knowledge Support

Status Small producers are important members of the U.S. pork industry Small % of the total pork produced Large number of the producers Small Producers Do not deliver to major packing plants Market their pork directly to their customers

Status In states outside major pork production regions (Midwest, panhandle of OK and TX, and North Carolina) small producers are critical members in their state associations. Information and educational support systems for small producers is fragmented. Small producers can impact national efforts around pork safety, pork quality, herd health and monitoring and animal well-being.

Tactic Complete the population of the Niche Pork domain Review existing and determine new fact sheets to develop Compile fact sheets into a small producers handbook Work to secure state association financial support to collaborate on providing small producer support

Evaluations Short term Long Term Number of fact sheets completed to fill the Niche Pork domain Number of small producer handbooks distributed Long Term Number of state associations providing financial support to deliver small producer information and education programs