The Law Farm podcast by Michelle Namer Michelle Namer

Bill Cavanaugh and the Mad River Food Hub in Vermont are making food storage, processing, and distribution more accessible for local producers in Vermont. In the process, local producers provide even more support for local farms! The Mad River Food Hub may be the only USDA inspected community processing hub in the nation, and can serve as a model for similar hubs in other regions. Bill is an expert in all things butchery and food business, and it is a great treat to hear his perspective on starting a meat processing business and a food hub for food businesses in the community. Oh, and we get to talk about the benefits of being a conscious carnivore too!

Mad River Food Hub - https://www.madriverfoodhub.com
Email Bill: Bill@madriverfoodhub.com - Contact Bill for information about his butchery courses!

Resources Bill talks about:
Niche meat processor assistance network - http://www.nichemeatprocessing.org/peer-consulting – use this link to get on the listserv
USDA Small Plant Help Desk - https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/svsp/sphelpdesk – personalized help desk
And as always, know your local regulators, extension offices, and other experts in the field!

TheLawFarm.com – Find blogs on legal topics from the podcast.

Podcast Music: Andi Kezh “On Your Own” on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/on-your-own-single/1242547037

Marketing produce and goods as “Organic” carries a lot of weight with some consumers. Getting certified “USDA Organic” is the ticket to marketing organic goods, and the Georgia Crop Improvement Association is the only certifying agency housed in Georgia. Terry Hollifield is the executive director of GCIA and in this episode he shares insight into the National Organic Program and the resources available to farmers and producers dreaming of running an Organic enterprise.

Here are some of the resources Terry mentions in the episode:
Georgia Organics – Dedicated to all things organic food in Georgia – Georgiaorganics.org
Organic Material Review Institute – Lists approved Organic inputs – omri.org
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association – Plethora of resources for GA growers – gfvga.org
Primus Labs – Third party food safety certifier – Primuslabs.com
University of Georgia – Extension agents and informational presentations

Georgiacrop.com – Check out the organic certification resources the Georgia Crop Improvement Association has to offer and connect with Terry and his crew.

TheLawFarm.com – Find blogs on legal topics from the podcast.

Podcast Music: Andi Kezh “On Your Own” on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/on-your-own-single/1242547037

Fifth generation South Georgia Farmer, Clay Oliver, created Oliver Oil Co. when bio-fuel experts made it apparent how valuable food grade oils are in our food system. Clay and his wife now run the business together cold-pressing artisan oils that support Georgia produce, as well as endangered oil crop varieties such as Benne. Oh, and they also create gluten free, high nutrient flours as a “Co-Product.” Whether you’re buying straight from the source at oliverfarm.com, catching the family at a food expo out of town, or dining in some of the best restaurants in the South, supporting Oliver Farm oils and flours supports heart-felt family producers.

Here are some of the resources Clay mentions in the episode:
Georgia Department of Agriculture
County Extension Agents
Glenn Rhodes – The Fuel Farmer
South Georgia Growing Local Conference
National Peanut Board
National Sunflower Association
Good Food Foundation
Slow Food Ark of Taste
And too many Atlanta restaurants to name them all!

Check out their beautiful farm and purchase some great products at OliverFarm.com

TheLawFarm.com – find blogs on legal topics from the podcast

Podcast Music: Andi Kezh “On Your Own” on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/on-your-own-single/1242547037