SIC to offer meat processing course in Carmi

Southeastern Illinois College will offer a Farm to Table Hands-On Meat Processing Course this June at the Stanford D. Williams Career and Training Center in Carmi.

The three-week course is designed for beginners and individuals exploring careers in meat processing. Participants will gain practical, hands-on experience learning how livestock is processed from harvest to finished product.

Instruction will be led by EmmyLee Williams, Owner of WP Meat Company, who brings industry experience to the classroom and lab setting.

The course includes two evening classroom sessions on June 9 and June 16 from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by three morning processing sessions on June 18, 23 and 26 beginning at 8 a.m. Each processing session will run approximately two to three hours.

Students will learn about meat processing operations, equipment and industry practices, as well as animal handling, inspection standards and food safety procedures. The course will also cover identifying primal cuts and understanding processing options for beef and pork.

“This course gives people a chance to learn valuable, practical skills in a short amount of time,” said Lori Cox. “Whether someone is considering a career change or simply wants to better understand the process from harvest to table, this class offers experience they can use right away.”

The course is limited to 10 students to allow for individualized instruction. The cost is $100 and includes a certificate of completion. A limited number of scholarships are available to help offset the cost for eligible participants.

Those interested in careers in meat processing will find opportunities in local and regional facilities, where skilled workers are in demand.

For more information or to register, contact Lori Cox at lori.cox@sic.edu or call 618-252-5400, ext. 2302.

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