Local ranchers diversify with meat processing shop

Farming and ranching have long been a part of Montana's past and its number one industry. With prices of livestock and crops ever changing, the next generation of ranchers have had to diversify their revenue to make ends meet and keep both parents at home to raise a family. With National Ag Day on March 23rd, it seemed liked a good time to meet with a local couple who is diversifying their revenue streams.

Cassie O'Connor is from Broadus. She met her husband, Ry, in high school during an FFA competition in Baker. Both went on to attend Dickinson State University after high school. At DSU, they both attended a meat cutting class where Ry especially took an interest in the trade. After college the couple married, moved to Plevna and purchased part of Ry's family ranch. There, they raise cattle and sheep, run a food truck and have added a couple kids too.

The O'Connor couple started the conversation on how they could add more income to their operation and also help their communities struggling with the fear that COVID was or could cause food shortages; causing people to want to stock up on meat for their freezers. Through researching their options and while scrolling on social media, Mrs. O'Connor came across a small business development post that piqued her interest. She reached out to Tracey Baker in the Miles City SBDC office. From that point other organizations were looped into the process.

The team was made up of Tracey Baker (SBDC), Tami Burke (GNDC-Food and Agriculture Development Center), Beth Epley (EPEDC- Executive Director), Dara Deines (EPEDC- Community Development Specialist) and Shandy Hanks (GNDC-SBDC). Together with Cassie, the team scheduled meetings to explore options and if Lame Jones Meats would be eligible for the Meat Processing and Infrastructure Grant that was made available through the CARES funding allotted to the state. When the grant was not awarded for their project, O'Connors decided to reduce the size of their new facility and obtain financing on their own.

In September, O'Connors got a call from Jim Auer with the Montana Department of Agriculture that more funds came available and that they would be awarded the $150,000 that they originally applied for. This money helped with getting the building put up. The COVID grant was unique because matching funds were not required for it. With the grant came a deadline to have the building up by the end of 2020. Even though they hit the ground running and had been in contact with contractors, the deadline was a definite challenge. Thankfully, the date was extended. Otherwise "it would have been close, but we wouldn't have finished in time," said Mr. O'Connor.

In November came an opportunity to apply for the Growth Through Agriculture Grant (GTA). The grant is through the Montana Department of Agriculture and usually opens around July. It focuses on diversifying Montana's agriculture industry through development of new agricultural products and processes and requires the investment of at least a dollar-for-dollar match in grant or loan assistance received. The application was for $20,000 for a smoker and sausage stuffer to expand and diversify what Lame Jones Meats would be able to offer. Since they were selected in the top rankings of the grant process, O'Connors were required to present to the GTA committee in February. At the beginning of this month, Lame Jones Meats was announced as one of GTA grant recipients.

Currently, Ry and Cassie O'Connor are working to get Lame Jones Meats up and running as a custom exempt facility with plans to eventually be USDA certified. They are hoping to open Lame Jones Meats in about two months. With a social media page up and running, they have already received numerous calls and messages.

"There are so many free resources available in our area and people need to take advantage of them. The SBDC, EPEDC, and GNDC not only provide business help but also put on workshops that really help as well," Cassie O'Connor said.

O'Connors are excited to be able to serve local communities at Lame Jones Meats. Check out Lame Jones Meats on social media and stay updated on their opening date.

Alissa Miller is the Food and Agriculture Assistant with Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation. Miller's office is located in Baker, serving the counties of Carter, Fallon, Wibaux, Dawson and Prairie. Miller is there to help with grant writing, business planning, trainings, agritourism or farm to school programs. With food and agriculture business or training ideas call or email Miller at (406) 852-3735 or fada@epedc.com.