Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced members appointed to the Artisanal Butchery Task Force, which will study workforce challenges in the meat processing industry, specifically for small-scale meat lockers. A local butcher is part of that group, as Jerry Roorda from Int Velds will provide his expertise. The task force will be chaired by Sec. Naig consists of meat locker owners from across the state, livestock producers, and professionals from the public and private sector who have a vast knowledge of the industry.

During the 2021 legislative session, lawmakers passed House File 857, which charged the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship with establishing the Butchery Innovation Task Force to study workforce issues in the meat processing industry. The legislation also established a grant program jointly administered by the Department and Iowa Economic Development Authority to help lockers purchase equipment to increase production and create jobs.

The task force will study the feasibility of establishing an artisanal butchery program at a community college or at Regent institution. The task force will consider things such as apprenticeship and internship opportunities, employment outlook for graduates, and potential program enrollment and costs. A report with findings and potential recommendations is due to the Iowa General Assembly by the end of the year.

Task force membership will include:
Secretary Mike Naig (Chair), Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Jerry Roorda, In’t Veld’s Meat Market
Ty Gustafson, Story City Locker
Baili Maurer, Edgewood Locker
Dan Julin, Arcadia Meats
Dave Walter, Corning Meat Processing
Kent Wiese, Amend’s Packing Company
Ned Skoglund, Skoglund Meats
Laura Cunningham, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
Steve Kerns, Iowa Pork Producers
Fred Long, Iowa Conservation Alliance
Dave Grunklee, Hawkeye Community College
Dr. Terry Houser, Iowa State Meat Lab
Chef John Andres, Iowa Culinary Institute
Jeff Cook, Fareway Stores
Dr. Kathryn Polking, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Brad Frisvold, Iowa Economic Development Authority
Kathy Leggett, Future Ready Iowa
Jake Swanson, Governor’s Office