The Wisconsin Meat Industry Relies on Local Professionals and Communities

In partnership with: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

From farmers to processors, the Wisconsin meat industry has a wide range of local businesses bringing fresh, high-quality local meats to their communities. State initiatives, such as the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants program and the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency program, have bolstered the industry, and the local professionals ensure its success.

Cylon Rolling Acres

It was a risk for first-generation goat farmer Leslie Svacina to jump into this niche meat market, but it has certainly paid off. Svacina began raising Boer-Kiko cross meat goats on her farm, Cylon Rolling Acres, in Deer Park, after discovering a cultural demand for goat meat in the area. The farm uses regenerative practices and sells meat directly to customers, both locally and via shipping.

Although goat may not be as popular as pork or beef in the Midwest, Svacina enjoys introducing something new to her community and expanding their horizons. Her farm offers whole goats and bulk options but has recently started selling individual cuts of meat, which she believes can help people who are hesitant about trying new things.

“It’s less intimidating to try a new protein when you’re buying directly from the farmer and when you can buy a few cuts and not the whole animal,” she explains.

See more: Dairy Goats Growing Role in Wisconsin Agriculture

She also leverages social media, boasting 11,600 followers on Instagram alone, where she educates followers on everything from how to cook and consume goat meat to how farmers can emulate her direct-shipping business model. 

“It’s about, ‘How do I serve my customers and my community?’ And it’s by helping them be inspired and learn how to cook goat,” she says.

Leroy Meats

In Horicon, Fox Lake and Ripon, Leroy Meats is a trusted meat manufacturer that sources its meats locally. The company has recently expanded to its third location, where they sell retail products in the community. They have made such a name for themselves because of their focus on building relationships with their sourcing partners, community of customers and within their family of employees.

Valerie Christian, who owns Leroy Meats along with her husband, Steve, credits much of their success to their long-term employees.

“I think it’s the reason why we’re expanding so quickly,” she notes. “Our employees’ knowledge has evolved our product line and what we can offer to our customers.”

See more: Wisconsin Meat Science Programs Beef Up Prospective Talent

Warm relationships with manufacturers and vendors also help ensure the meat they use in their products is high-quality.

“We can get the freshest and best right away,” Christian says. “It’s also about the partnership that we have with them.”

The husband-and-wife team is also committed to building the future of the local meat industry through educating the next generation. Steve himself started as a cleanup kid in Leroy’s Horicon building before going on to co-own the company.

Today, they host the official Youth Apprenticeship Program, partnering with schools and any youth interested in learning more about a career in meat cutting and service.

“The meat cutting profession is kind of a dying breed, and we just want to keep it alive and going,” Christian explains.

The company’s specialty bacon and steak cuts are especially popular, but Christian says you can’t go wrong with one of their award-winning brats made with passed-down, top-secret German recipes.

Cedar Road Meats

Processors are an important step in getting meat from the farm to your fork. Cedar Road Meats, owned by Marc Malterer in Iron Ridge, processes animals from more than 500 Wisconsin farms. It’s a family business employing Malterer’s brother as head sausage maker, plus many other family members.

“By purchasing at a local meat processor, you are not only supporting that facility but the families of the farmers who raised the animals to make the meat,” he notes.

See more: Nationwide Master Meat Crafter Certification Calls Wisconsin Home

Malterer is passionate about his profession and believes that buying local ensures that each meal is more than just a transaction – it supports the whole community. Cedar Road Meats is actively involved with the local FFA, youth sports, libraries, and the local Hustisford school district, sponsoring booster club events and donating products and proceeds to different activities in the area.

“The final meat product is coming from local farmers, so that a customer can put a face to the farmer and the processor,” Malterer says.