"We’re worried about the food supply chain. What can you do for us?" After the pandemic hit the Texas Hill Country, Justin and Missy Crocker's community was itching for local food. As owners of a feed mill and feed yard, the duo had access to beef—but not a reliable meat processing plant within their control. Here's the story of how they launched their own. 🔗
Friesla
Ranching
We provide meat producers, processors, and entrepreneurs with tools to take back control of local meat processing.
About us
During the late 1960s, there were nearly 10,000 slaughter facilities in the U.S., or roughly three per county. Over the half century since, the meat processing industry has consolidated. Corporate meat processing operations grew larger and more commercialized. Struggling to compete and remain profitable, small farmers were driven out of business. Thousands of localized slaughterhouses were decimated. By April 2018, there were only 2,758 slaughter facilities in the U.S. — less than one per county. Local farmers, the backbone of American agriculture, fell secondary to the rise of large-scale meat processing operations. The agricultural landscape changed, and not for the better. To stay in business, farmers began traveling long distances with their animals to regional slaughterhouses. The trips stressed animals and affected meat quality. Farmers sacrificed profits due to increased transportation costs and wasted time. They bore the stress of scheduling with large abattoirs, sacrificing autonomy in their operations for the unpredictability of regional slaughterhouses. Consumers, once nourished by fresh, high-quality local meat, were disserved by mass-produced meat and little idea where it came from. The farm-to-table connection, diminished by corporate commercialization over the past half decade, is worth restoring: for our animals, farmers, communities, and environment. At Friesla, our mission is to provide farmers with the tools to help you take control of your meat processing operations — on your terms, time, and at your site. Our vision is to create a global network of strong, sustainable ecosystems in which independent farmers raise, process, and deliver premium meat direct to your local communities. Together, let’s get started.
- Website
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friesla.com
External link for Friesla
- Industry
- Ranching
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Everson
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2018
- Specialties
- mobile meat harvest, modular meat harvest, meat processing, agricultural manufacturing, lean manufacturing, ranching equipment, meat processing equipment, USDA mobile meat harvest certification, and meat processing consulting
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Everson, US
Employees at Friesla
Updates
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Local meat processing is on the rise. Ever thought of it as an impactful way to diversify income? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gtp7VPe3
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Craft butcher shops were once a staple in America. Big stores edged many out of business. Spurred by COVID–era shutdowns of big meatpackers, independent shops like The Meating Place in Hillsboro, Oregon are leading a resurgence in small-scale processing. Read their story here: https://lnkd.in/g5dB5uuA
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Beef is sold as either grass-finished or grain-finished. But what’s the difference? Find out here: zpr.io/iquSZrQR8eTN
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Remember when you knew the farmer or rancher who produced your meat, and the butcher who processed it? The meat processing industry has consolidated significantly. Once local and regional, it’s now highly centralized. But a good alternative to corporate meat processing exists. Here’s how Friesla is enabling independent meat processors—and where we fit into the puzzle: https://lnkd.in/g5utZntx
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Having the right tools to process meat is a good start. Learning how to use them efficiently and effectively is key. Once a Friesla System is on the ground, experienced butcher trainers help square this away: From harvest to processing, packaging to distribution, and plant operations, management, and USDA compliance in between.
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Designing, building, and shipping a Friesla System is a big feat. So is getting it on the ground and operational. As the Modules are delivered by truck and offloaded by crane, Friesla technicians get to work. We support the installation, coordinate with local trades on utility connections, and equip our client to start up and maintain their new System. Next? Onward to harvesting, cutting, and packaging meat.
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Yes, this meat processing plant can be moved by crane. Once Friesla Modules are delivered to a client site, they’re lifted off trailers and placed on their foundation. The Modules are set, connected, and utilities hooked up. But is this permanent? If the Modules need to be moved, rearranged, or added onto, pick them up again by crane. Know of any other meat processing facilities that are portable?!