Episode 54

Rebuilding what we lost of BC's small scale meat economy

Today on the show, my conversation with Butcher Matt Kemp, a week after he figuratively cut the ribbon at the Okanagan Butcher Hub, a new meat cutting facility located in Spallumcheen, just a hair north of Vernon.

Built by the Smallscale Meat Producers Association with support from multiple levels of government, it’s hoped that this butcher hub will help address a capacity issue that has dogged the region for years.

Matt joined me to talk about the year-long problem of insufficient slaughter and meat-cutting services in the Thompson-Okanagan, and really, around much of BC, and how this insufficiency has had knock-on effects on small-scale meat production. We’ve lost a lot of production, says Matt, and he hopes that butcher hubs like the one he’s now managing can slowly start to bring this production back online.

Mentioned in this episode:

SSMPA Climate Resiliency in Livestock Production: Workshop Apr 24/25 in Armstrong

To register for the SSMPA's April 24/25 Workshop in Armtrong on leveraging your livestock for climate resilience, visit farminginbc.ca/climate

SSMPA Climate Resilience Workshop

SSMPA Climate Resiliency in Livestock Production: Workshop Apr 24/25 in Armstrong

To register for the SSMPA's April 24/25 Workshop in Armtrong on leveraging your livestock for climate resilience, visit farminginbc.ca/climate

SSMPA Climate Resilience Workshop

About the Podcast

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Farming in British Columbia

About your host

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Jordan Marr

I'm Jordan Marr, a farmer and broadcaster in BC's North Okanagan. My farm business is called Unearthed Organics, where I produce milling corn and dry beans on a small-scale. I currently produce and host this podcast as well as The Organic BC Podcast & The Ruminant Podcast. I also produce a regular segment on food and farming in the southern interior for CBC Radio's Daybreak South, based in Kelowna. I live with my wife and two kids in Vernon.