Small Scale Poultry Processing Options, and Survey for New England Farmers

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As a reminder, if you are a small-scale poultry producer in New England, you are probably familiar with the lack of affordable processing options that allow you to legally sell your birds to consumers. In order to address this problem, the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project and the New England Small Farm Institute have worked with regulators in Massachusetts to launch a state-approved pilot mobile poultry processing unit (MPPU). After completing a training program, and securing the necessary state and local approvals, producers can rent the MPPU for use on their farm, allowing them to market their processed birds directly to consumers. You can learn more about the existing Massachusetts MPPU by visiting New Entry’s website.

New Entry and NESFI are currently partnering to build a second MPPU with an enclosed design for protection against the elements and improved transportability. New Entry will also produce a replication guide as a resource for producers, co-ops, and other organizations looking to construct and operate their own MPPU.

To help us gauge producer interest in this project, and to inform the construction design and operational management of a new MPPU, please consider participating in this brief survey (should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete).

Please complete the survey before Friday, December 11.  We will carefully consider all responses in planning for the new unit and in outlining recommendations for other potential MPPUs in Massachusetts and beyond.

Thank you for your time and input. Please feel free to contact Sam Anderson, Poultry and Livestock Coordinator, 978-654-6745, or Jennifer Hashley, New Entry Project Director, 617-636-3793, with any questions or for further information about this project.