About

Pasture-raised livestock, in-house sausages, cuts, grinds, broths, smoked meats, dry cured salami, paté, and cooking fats. Plus grafted perennials.

What’s interesting about Mace Chasm’s model

Courtney’s model is both vertically integrated and diversified - livestock production and butchering paired with tree production. She added nursery tree production recently, because it dovetails with the livestock and butchering work. Tree grafting work fills the lulls in livestock work and provides income and employment in the spring and fall.

Scale

Courtney processes 5 pigs, 1 steer, and 200-300 chickens a week. They process birds in their own 5A facility, and send out large animals for USDA slaughter. All animals return to the small butcher shop for processing.

Mace Chasm is hiring a Whole Animal Butcher. Take a look at their job posting below.

Resources + Opportunities

Grants

If you’re interested in grant writing assistance please email Jake Levin at jake@berkshireagventures.org



American Farmland Trust – Western New England Regenerative Livestock Farming

Due: 11/1/2023 (Opens 10/1/2023)

Priority: Livestock farmers in specific counties seeking to implement practices for improved soil health. 

Farm Animal Concerns Trust – Fund a Farmer Grant

Due: 1/15/2024 (Opens 11/1/2023)

Mission: to improve farm animal welfare, expand humane farming, and support capital and operational work 

Meat Processing and Poultry Expansion Program Phase II 

Due: 11/22/2023

Mission: To help eligible processors expand their processing capacity, which create new, better and more processing options for meat and poultry producers.

Disaster Relief Funds

Black Farmer Rapid Response Fund 

Due: Rolling, no due date

Purpose: Black Farmers and Food Business Owners in the Northeast are eligible to receive support of up to $10,000, to address acute emergencies interfering with regular operations.

Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Program for Agriculture - MA (MDAR)

Due: 9/29

Provides financial assistance to aid MA agricultural operations that were impacted by one or more of the 2023 Natural Disasters. Includes July flooding, May frost, AND February deep freeze.

Other

Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program Phase II Webinar Recordings

Grant Program information session and info about sam.gov, for federal grant applicants - Flower Hill Institute

Hay Survey for MA Livestock Growers

MDAR is seeking information from farmers and buyers concerning Massachusetts livestock growers' hay needs, since floods and drought across the country have impacted availability of quality hay. MDAR will use information will to develop resources to meet needs. Survey open until 10/15.

What We're Reading

This Farm Bill Could Reshape the Food System. Here Are 10 Proposals at the Center of the Fight

In this Civil Eats piece, Lisa Held provides an update on the process of reauthorizing the farm bill and outlines key new marker bills (smaller pieces of legislation considered for inclusion in the larger farm bill package) that have been introduced recently. 

Protect State Meat Inspection Programs from Arbitrary USDA Action

Rural Vermont - along with coalition partners - is working to protect on-farm slaughter. This info sheet describes what's at stake, their legislative strategy, and how you can make your voice heard in support of on-farm slaughter. 

Submit to The Meat Up Newsletter

Feature your news, updates, events in the next newsletter

If you'd like a spot in the November Meat Up Newsletter, please send your:

• Regional meat production, processing, storage, or transport updates
• Job Postings 
• Livestock production, meat marketing workshops
• Livestock/meat related events
• Education resources
• Funding opportunities
• Advocacy and solidarity invitations

to Ren Constas at ren@berkshiregrown.org.