The Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Meat Science Center for Innovation (MSCI), located at the Governor Bill & Vara Daniel Farm and Ranch, is a fully operational state-inspected meat processing facility that engages in a variety of programs and events across the areas of academics, research, and extension.

Students explore retail meat cuts and learn value-added processing techniques, part of MSCI’s comprehensive product development training.

The Meat Science Center for Innovation serves as the primary
venue for meat science classes, extension workshops, and research
experiences. As a result, one will gain experience in:

• Quality Assurance/Food Safety
• Techniques involved in harvesting and fabricating carcasses into
retail cuts
• Product development of processed meat products such as
sausage, bratwurst, or jerky

Promoting Experiential Learning Best-In-Class Practices

Food and agriculture communities face ever-growing constraints and complex demands for ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce. A shortage of qualified labor is a primary concern for the Meat and Poultry Industry. Providing students with learn-by doing experiential opportunities early in their careers through active involvement in research, service learning, leadership programs and other hands-on activities will help develop future leaders whose knowledge will be used to serve a global society. Our research goal is to grow interest for the field of meat science, increase knowledge gained and the number skilled laborers.

In-class carcass demonstrations are part of MSCI’s hands-on training in meat grading techniques and quality assurance.

The MSCI’s research focuses on exploring scientific principles and
ingredient functionality to develop novel value-added products.
This work aims to enhance the marketability of livestock by offering
innovative solutions for product improvement. Additionally, workforce
development is emphasized to expand the knowledge of young adults
through programs such as:

• Meat Master High School Summer Program
• PVAMU + Ohio State University Summer Extension Program
• Southwest Meat Association (SMA) Annual Convention
• Smithfield Foods Explore Program
• Tyson Foods Beyond Fresh Meat Program
• American Meat Science Association Reciprocal Meats Conference