What we do

Extension's Meat Workforce Development Program provides training and certifications in meat harvest and processing for beef, lamb, pork and poultry. Combining classroom instruction, hands-on experience and facility tours, the program equips participants with the skills needed to support Nevada’s meat industry.

This initiative emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to increase access to local meat products and address the state’s limited meat processing capacity. Currently, Nevada has only four USDA-inspected facilities for both harvest and processing, highlighting the need for long-term industry growth.

Housed within the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, this Extension program also benefits from the resources of the College's Experiment Station unit, including its Wolf Pack Meats, as well as Extension's mobile harvest unit. As a land-grant institution, the University of Nevada, Reno remains committed to strengthening agricultural education and workforce development across the state.