Ranchers, meat processors, butchers and agricultural industry partners from across the West are invited to gather in Siskiyou County on Oct. 15-16 for the North Fork California Meat Summit, the first meat summit to be held on the West Coast.
“Any rancher, especially those interested in selling direct – from shipping individual cuts to wholesale to cooperative models – is welcome to attend,” said Grace Woodmansee, UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor for Siskiyou County.
Organizers say the event will bring together producers and industry partners for two days of hands-on learning, networking and conversations about the opportunities and challenges shaping the Western meat industry.
The North Fork Summit is part of a multi-state effort that began in North Carolina several years ago and is supported by the National Meat Summits Steering Committee.
“These educational summits encourage networking and collaboration along the meat supply chain, thus supporting new market opportunities, fostering innovation and enhancing understanding about the realities of bringing meat from farm to fork,” Woodmansee said.
“This will be the first time a meat summit has been hosted in California,” she said, “and we’re excited to bring the concept to our region in a smaller-scale format and with a particular focus on ranchers and the realities of doing business here.”
According to the Siskiyou Economic Development Council, the summit will include ranch tours at Marble Mountain Meats and Jenner Family Beef, educational sessions with agricultural experts and a Q&A with Mary Heffernan of Five Marys Ranch.
The event also features a trade show, cutting demonstration and tour of the StarHarvest processing facility.
The summit will culminate in a limited-ticket ranch-to-table dinner on Oct. 15 in Etna, where guests can experience the character, hospitality and agricultural heritage of Siskiyou County.
Set against the landscape of the Scott Valley, the evening will feature locally raised meat, regional ingredients and a memorable gathering at one of the area's working ranches.
“This summit is about creating stronger connections across our entire meat supply chain – from the ranch to the processor to the customer,” said Woodmansee, who is also director of UC Cooperative Extension in Siskiyou County. “By bringing the North Fork Meat Summit to the West Coast, we’re creating a space for producers and industry partners to learn from one another, build relationships and explore ways to strengthen our Western meat systems. The ranch dinner also invites guests to experience the beauty and hospitality of Siskiyou County firsthand.”
Early-bird registration is $125 through Sept. 13 and includes tours, transportation, educational sessions, networking opportunities and meals. After Sept. 13, registration is $150. Ranchers may apply for scholarships that cover their registration. There are 20 complimentary tickets available for eligible ranchers, including 10 tickets reserved for beginning farmers and ranchers. Look for details on the registration page.
A limited number of dinner tickets are available to both summit attendees and members of the public.
For additional information or to view the full agenda of events, visit the North Fork Meat Summit website at https://www.northforkmeatsummit.com.