Better for Butchery: USDA Strengthens Local Meat Processing Capacity with Kentucky Facility Acquisition

USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.

PRINCETON, Ky. (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to expand domestic meat processing capacity, supporting local operations and strengthening the food supply chain.

Travis Burton, USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to provide an overview of the facility and the benefits it brings to agriculture across the region. Burton also discussed how the acquisition was financed through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program backed by the USDA.

Burton highlighted why this effort was important for USDA and spoke to the broader significance of strengthening local meat processing for rural communities and the overall food supply chain.

As part of that work, USDA recently supported Better For Butchery (formerly Porter Road Meats) in acquiring a facility in Kentucky. The site will operate as a scalable co-packing and processing hub.

On Thursday, we were joined on Market Day Report by Better For Butchery CEO Christopher Roach, who provided an overview of the facility and discussed the benefits it brings to agriculture across the region.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Roach explained how the acquisition was financed through the Meat and USDA’s Poultry Lending Program. He also highlighted that the acquisition marks a turning point for Better For Butchery, as well as the new facility’s potential to strengthen local meat processing and support rural communities and the food supply chain.

Related Stories
New farm bill amendment renames the 1890 National Scholars Program after Rep. David Scott, highlighting support for HBCU ag education.
Kubota Tractor Company President and Air Force Veteran Alex Woods discusses the company’s Military Appreciation Month initiatives and long-term support programs for veterans in agriculture.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold explains how springtime brings seasonal changes to agricultural operations and, with them, renewed concerns about safety, allergies, and mental health this week on Rural Health Matters.
ASFMRA’s Dennis Reyman joined us to discuss planting progress, crop trends, grain movement, and farmland market activity in Iowa.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canada’s advisory committee and the upcoming USMCA review and its potential impact on agriculture.
Partnership helps power homes while supporting a fifth-generation farm

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Faren Rachels is a Georgia-native who made the move to Music City. She has opened for some of the biggest names in music, from Luke Combs to Willie Nelson, and her songs have been recorded from many of today’s artists.
In part six of his blog series,"Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” farm legal expert Roger McEowen tackles issue #2, foreign ownership of ag land.
In part five of his blog series, “Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” Roger McEowen tackles issue number three, California’s Prop 12 pork regulations.
In part four of his blog series, “Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” Roger McEowen tackles issue number four, the Employment Retention Credit.
In part three of his blog series, “Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” Roger McEowen covers the Corps of Engineers’ mismanagement of Missouri River water levels.