Harvest to Hang Homestead Butchering Basics Workshop - Beef Cow

The Harvest to Hang Homestead Butchering Basics Workshop at Jireh Hills Family Homestead offers a unique four hour hands-on experience for hunters, farmers, and food enthusiasts interested in learning the skills of humane livestock processing. This indoor workshop is wheelchair accessible and designed for participants aged twelve and older. Phase One covers raising beef, humane dispatch, safe handling of carcasses, skinning, evisceration, trimming, and hanging meat for proper aging. Phase Two, scheduled separately, focuses on breaking down a full beef cow into meal size portions, including steaks, roasts, stew meat, and ground beef. Students have the option to participate in all cutting stations, use proper tools, and learn safe handling and packaging techniques under one-on-one instruction. Gloves, aprons, and seating for breaks are available. Discussions and Q&A are teacher directed throughout, giving students the confidence to process meat responsibly and understand the equipment, methods, and safety required. Lunch of homemade sausage on a bun is served, and hot coffee and tea are available.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the physical and psychological aspects of butchering while following a no-waste approach. This workshop emphasizes responsible, ethical, and cost-effective methods for small-scale meat processing. Students are encouraged to take notes and bring snacks for personal energy. Safety and hygiene are prioritized, and participation is completely voluntary. Special accommodations can be made with prior communication, and students must sign a waiver before participation.