Ultimate Beef Research Project

Fischer Farms was awarded a Climate Smart Commodities grant by the USDA in 2022 for a joint intensive research and development project to run from 2023-2028. Building on our previous two decades of work building a regional meat system, this efficient system includes quality production, made-to-order processing and order fulfillment, marketing, sales, and distribution. This pilot project is intended to be a model for other regional meat systems. All project funds are matched by Fischer Farms. 

Our 3 Main Goals

• Build upon the regional meat system that Fischer Farms has spent 20 years developing. This system can be a model for new regional meat systems across the United States using strategies such as digital marketing, proven sales methodologies, quality management, made-to-order processing and order fulfillment, and farmer network building. The long-term goal is to assist other farmers develop at least 10 regional meat systems across the country providing healthy meat and to give farmers alternative markets in which to sell their livestock.
• Complete a rigorous, third party verified, life cycle assessment that identifies areas of focus to reduce the carbon footprint of cattle production. Develop and document practices to achieve carbon neutrality while reducing farm costs through less inputs.
• Develop and test farming practices that improve soil health while also lowering operational costs. This transparent, collaborative approach includes soil testing to monitor soil organic matter levels, technical support, access to research and industry thought leaders, and incentives to maintain these practices, with over 70 farmers in the region. Later, we will share our approach to assist farmers wanting to implement regenerative agriculture practices across the United States.

(All project expenditures are audited annually by a third-party accounting firm. No payments are made from the USDA until expenses are incurred by Fischer Farms and a detailed quarterly report is approved. The USDA Climate Smart Commodities grant does not fund any buildings, equipment, livestock, or land. Fischer Farms pays for all necessary capital improvements along with matching funds for the grant term.)

Our Partners

We’re proud to partner with many prestigious organizations on this project:

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• The National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Indiana University
• University of Kentucky
• Purdue University
• Geospherics

Want to get involved? Contact Principal Investigator, Dave Fischer, at dave@ffnatural.com.

Learn about Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.