By Derrick Meads
The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) celebrated the opening of the Meats and Foods Industry Advancement Center today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the C. Oran Little Research Center in Woodford County.
The nearly 30,000-square-foot center brings research, teaching, Extension and industry support together to advance meat science, food safety, workforce development and value-added production. Designed with processors supporting local producers in mind, it includes a 56-seat classroom connected directly to the processing area, providing students with hands-on learning throughout the product development process.
“This center reflects what it means to be Kentucky’s land-grant university,” said University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto. “Everything we do is to advance the state we were created to serve. By connecting our research and Extension expertise with the needs of producers and industry partners, we can help strengthen businesses, develop our agricultural workforce and create new opportunities for communities across the Commonwealth.”
Specialized spaces will support the development of products such as hams, sausages and other value-added foods. A sensory laboratory will allow researchers and businesses to evaluate consumer response to new products, while an on-site market will offer meat products developed at the center and other Kentucky agricultural products.
Source : uky.edu