Northwestern Colorado Meat Sector Feasibility Study – Supply
Western Region
Routt
County
(Moffat, Rio Blanco)
- Food and Agriculture
- Equal time spent on-campus and in the field
Primary Topic:
Food and Agriculture
Other Topics:
Economic and Community Development, Natural Resources and Sustainability
Internship Overview:
Without question, the meat and livestock supply chain have been exceptionally strained in the recent past, yet these challenges present new opportunities for innovative businesses that help coordinate resources and capacity to better link existing supply with growing demand. Further, key stakeholders across Northwestern Colorado have expressed new interest in better understanding the feasibility of these new ventures. This internship will provide the support to help assess the feasibility of additional links in the meat and livestock supply chain in Northwestern Colorado.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The goal to develop the supply side components of a meat and livestock sector feasibility study that can be adapted by local meat and livestock stakeholders to assess their proposed ventures (https://acrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/MeatProcessingNeedsAssess_EastSouthBay_Final.pdf). The geographic scope is Northwestern Colorado including Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties. The intern may use surveys and/or conduct focus groups to understand specific sector needs, challenges, and opportunities. Intern responsibilities will include analyzing data, collecting additional data, writing components of feasibility study, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
Ranchers, processors, consumers, institutional buyers, non-profits and elected officials.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
Upon completion of this project, the intern will have additional ability to work with community stakeholders to identify specific project objectives, work with existing data to assess the need and feasibility of a new businesses, and present findings in a way that is accessible to a diverse audience. This position will award the individual the opportunity to develop professionally with regards to their communication, problem solving, networking, leadership, and data analytical skills. There will be numerous opportunities to connect with other individuals conducting and supporting similar type projects in other parts of the state and the country including elected officials, non-profit leaders, and consultants.
