January 29, 2008

Contact: Bernadette Logozar, CCE Franklin County, 518-483-7403

Livestock Marketing Toolkit Provides Resources for Beef, Lamb, Pork Producers

How about some locally-raised beef, pork or lamb for dinner tonight? Interested in raising and selling meats to local consumers? Want to �Make $10 mistakes not $1,000 ones� � then read that section of the Livestock Marketing Toolkit created, with funding from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) and the New York Farm Viability Institute, by Bernadette Logozar of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County. The kit, available for just $15 plus handling fee, includes best management practices profiles, promotion materials, and a 17-page checklist that covers production costs, processing, pricing, food safety, advertising, PR, industry associations and where to find resources.

Logozar, who grew up on a beef farm in Canada, has adapted materials from Alberta livestock producers for use in New York. Logozar says potential income streams for livestock producers include direct-to-consumer marketing, freezer trade, live sale, central pooling for auction sales, contracting with meatpackers. The NNYADP project�s current emphasis is on beef, pork, and lamb.

For more information on the Livestock Marketing Toolkit, contact Logozar at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County, NY, 518-483-7403. Learn more about the farmer-led Northern New York Agricultural Development Program that funds research, education and outreach for New York�s six northernmost counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence at www.nnyagdev.org. Learn more about the New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc., a farmer-led, nonprofit corporation that invests in innovative research, education and technical assistance for NY�s agricultural producers, at www.nyfarmviability.org. # # #