Jeff Tech Farm to Refrigerator program receives major funding, will become a reality

The following was issued by Jeff tech Director Dr. Barry Fillman on November 21, 2022:

Jeff Tech would like to thank State Representative Brian Smith and State Senator Chris Dush for coming through in support of Jeff Tech’s RACP Grant for $1,100,000 for its Farm to Refrigerator training facility. This contribution will pair with the Federal Appropriations received due the support of US Congressman Glen GT Thompson totaling $1,125,000 to allow us to begin construction.  

In partnership with the Jefferson County Commissioners, Jeff Tech has accomplished its goal of finding the funding necessary to build and equip a Butchering training facility on the grounds of Jeff Tech.   This partnership has put multiple years of hard work into securing the funding necessary and appreciates the support from our elected officials.  

This state-of-the-art facility will be used to train butchers and meat cutters for the entire region.  The entire North Central Region has the potential to fill countless fields with steers, pigs, chickens, sheep and goats and many other exciting livestock.  

The long term vision of this project is for people in our community to grow, butcher, sell, purchase and eat regionally sourced meat products and grow the economy of our entire region while providing long term, family sustaining career opportunities for adult and secondary students in our area. The availability of trained employees for butchering has been a barrier to the  growth of this industry locally for some time.  

Thank you to Senator Dush, Representative Smith, Congressman Thompson and the Jefferson County Commissioners for your belief in this project.