Delaware State University is offering our Mobile Meat Processing Lab (MMPL) Training and Certification course as a two-part series so that small farmers in Delaware can become qualified to lease the MMPL to process small-ruminants, small-flock poultry, and/or cultured fish. The intent of this course is to ensure that prospective MMPL users have all of the necessary background knowledge they will need to successfully complete their application for a grant of inspection from the USDA.  Part one of the series is this self-paced, online course work, where farmers will be given an overview of the site requirements for using the MMPL, the steps in applying for a USDA grant of inspection, the MMPL capabilities, use, and proper sanitation. 

Once the online course work is completed, farmers will sign up to participate in an in-person lab, which is typically held at the Delaware State University Hickory Hill Research Farm, where they will be trained on the MMPL function and operation,  and gain hands-on experience in processing animals using the MMPL. Farmers must successfully complete both the online and in-person portions of the series before they can lease the MMPL for use on their own.