Are you available for brunch or lunch next Thursday (Dec 12)?
I'd kind of like to be involved, if nothing other than as an observer. Plus, I have a little bit of commercial experience going back to my childhood, when my dad ran our family butcher shop. I've also got my WV Extension Service friends and good friends at the WV Dept. of Ag., who can help advise.
Like legal moonshining, it is not real difficult. Unfortunately, there are just a lot of regulations and a lot of paperwork. Nothing we couldn't handle.
There is a lot of good used equipment available out there right now. Don't buy new stuff. Cabela's stuff won't make the grade. Things like scales must be on a USDA approved list, and they must be calibrated regularly. Commercial grinders are a lot different than sportsman's grinders.
I'm going to be out most of the rest of today (Wednesday afternoon), and from about noon tomorrow.
Give me a call early tomorrow, on Friday, or over the weekend.
I just made a bunch of delicious smoked turkey loaf, and I've got 7 lbs., of bones, skin, and pork/venison scraps, curing for some pig's knuckle loaf.
Time to go do some welding on one of the trailers.
Last edited by catmandoo; 12/04/13 03:40 PM.
