ETTRICK, Va.— Virginia Cooperative Extension recently graduated 42 Virginia residents from its Mobile Processing Unit Certification Program (MPUCP) at Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm Pavilion.
The first cohort has 20 graduates:
Winston Apple, Thomas Bolles, Paul Boulden Jr., Tanya Cauthen, Franklin Ewing, Rachael Faber, Raymond Faber, Hays Gottwald, Becky Kee, Dan Kee, Henry Reidy, Bill Rogers, Reuben Smith, Seth Mackay-Smith, Sarah Mackay-Smith, Brian Maynard, Hassanali Razzaghi, Logan Tweardy, Emilie Tweardy and Rui Wang.
The second cohort has 22 graduates:
The certification program consists of five modules—four online and one hands-on module at VSU-VCE’s Randolph Farm. Through these modules, participants learn how to process small-ruminant red meat safely, butcher consumer cuts, compost properly, manage waste and market their products. To receive an MPU certification, participants must complete all assignments and quizzes, and submit a USDA Grant of Inspection for processing at their farm.
“Today marks another example of how the College of Agriculture is ensuring that ‘Greater Happens Here’ at Virginia State University via our Mobile Processing Unit Certification Program,” said Dr. Robert N. Corley III, interim dean of Virginia State University College of Agriculture and associate vice provost for Academic Affairs.
He congratulated graduates of both cohorts for completing the comprehensive certification program and thanked project director Dr. Dahlia O’Brien, and project co-directors, Dr. Theresa Nartea and Dr. Stephan Wildeus for their visionary leadership. “These Extension specialists are VSU leaders who recognized a state-wide problem that small-ruminant producers experienced and they effectively addressed it by developing and implementing this innovative program that provides a highly sought-after service,” said Corley. “I also acknowledge the support of Commissioner Guthrie of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and our associate Extension administrator, Dr. Janine Woods.”
In a congratulatory letter, Commissioner Joseph Guthrie of VDACS also thanked O’Brien, Nartea and Wildeus for their leadership in developing this important program, and commended graduates for their accomplishments. “By completing this program, you have taken the first step into a very worthy career and are able to provide a highly sought-after service to Virginia’s agricultural producers.”
“I have taken many, many courses in my life but I cannot think of one that was as worthwhile, useful, and enlightening as the Mobile Processing Unit certification course, particularly the hands-on Saturday and Sunday sessions,” said Bill Rogers, an MPUCP graduate and small farmer from Shenandoah County, Va.
For more information, visit https://www.ext.vsu.edu/
–Michelle Burchett, Virginia State University
