This 2-part small-scale poultry processing workshop focuses on responsible processing methods that abide by Montana’s 1,000 bird exemption under SB199 and the federal exemption. The series features industry experts who will address on-farm food safety, humane processing methods, packaging, labeling, record keeping, and accessing marketing outlets to help you sell local poultry directly to consumers.  

Part 1: Poultry Processing under Montana’s 1,000 Bird Exemption  

Wednesday, June 12th | 1pm – 5pm | Paradise Center (2 School House Rd) Paradise

This classroom workshop will be held in Paradise and covers the basics of safely processing chickens on-farm in open air or alternative structures, on-farm. The agenda will focus on food safety considerations for processing a safe product for consumers. Free In-person attendance only. Lunch included. 

Agenda

1pm Lunch

1:30-2:30 James Peterson from the Dept. of Livestock, SB199

2:30-3:30 Jan Tusick, Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center- Food Safety Considerations for the 1,000 Bird Exemption

3:30-4:30 Gizem Nance, Eagle Acres Family Farm- Marketing your product and lessons learned.

Part 2: On-Farm Food Safety

A Hands-On Approach to Safe Handing and Safe Butchering

Wednesday, June 19th | 10am – 2pm | Wild Horse Lavender in Plains

This hands-on poultry processing workshop will run through safe practices for processing on-farm at Wild Horse Lavender, with the demonstration led by Will Tusick. Learn how to safely kill, eviscerate, and package chickens. Equipment available to rent through the Poultry Association will be used in the demonstrations. Free In-person attendance only. Lunch included.    

Agenda

10-11 AM Efficient Set-Up of Processing line  

11-12 PM Humane and Safe Processing  

12-12:30  Lunch  

12:30-1:30 PM  Evisceration  

1:30-2 PM      Packaging  

Part 2 requires in-person attendance, and a zoom option will not be offered.

Bozeman Poultry Processing Workshop under Montana’s 1,000 Bird Exemption  

Wednesday, July 24th | 10am – 2pm | Prospera in Bozeman (865 Technology Blvd, Ste A, Bozeman, MT 59718

This classroom workshop will be held in Bozeman and covers the basics of safely processing chickens on-farm in open air or alternative structures, on-farm. The agenda will focus on food safety considerations for processing a safe product for consumers. Free In-person attendance only. Lunch included. 

Agenda

10-11 AM                  James Peterson from the Dept. Of Livestock, SB199 

11 AM- 12PM          Jan Tusick, Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center- Food Safety         Considerations for the 1,000 Bird Exemption 

12-12:30 PM            Lunch  

12:30-1:30 PM        Marketing