Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Current Competitive Grant

Improving profitability for small and very small meat processors in Iowa

Project ID: M2012-16

This 2-year grant for $22,788 was awarded in 2012.

Location: Statewide

Funding for this grant supports the development of a productivity curriculum for small meat processors in Iowa, as well as quarterly one-day classes and one-on-one follow-up services. The curriculum will focus on scheduling, product mix decisions, retail inventory management, and shop floor performance measurement. The project builds on earlier efforts of the Leopold Center’s Small Meat Processors Working Group.

Nick McCann

Nick McCann Nick McCann has an MBA in Operations Management and an MS in Sustainable Agriculture from ISU, where he also was a graduate research assistant for the Leopold Center Marketing and Food Systems Initiative. Nick previously has worked in agricultural production, processing and marketing in both domestic and international markets. His research and practical interest is working with small and midsize agricultural businesses to improve profitability, return on investment and cash flow. He currently serves as the Region 4 Food Value Chain Coordinator for ISU Extension. [Contact lead investigator]

This competitive grant project is part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Business management, distribution and marketing, Niche meat, dairy and poultry