University Store Now Selling Meat From UCM Farms

Thanks to a partnership between the University of Central Missouri (UCM) Farms and the University Store, the Warrensburg community now has a new option for locally raised meat.

The partnership marks the first time UCM Farms is selling its meat in a retail storefront. For the past few years, customers could order meat in half or whole quantities, and in the last year, retail cuts were available from a commercial freezer at the UCM Trap and Skeet Range. Now, these products are more accessible than ever.

“Selling UCM-raised meat and produce out of the University Store is a big deal because it bridges the gap for our students to take our livestock all the way from conception to consumption,” University Farm Director Travis Hume said. “We work with several different academic units across campus raising our animals and produce, and to have student involvement from breeding to selling at retail is truly a full circle moment.”

Currently, pork products are available, with additional items to be introduced later in the year. As UCM Farms embarks on this new venture, certain cuts of meat – such as pork chops, pork steaks, brats and breakfast sausage – will be stocked in the University Store freezer, while custom cuts will be available for order at the shooting range. 

Leah Sobba, assistant director of merchandise management for the University Store, said customer response has been positive. Continued customer interest could lead to more products, including beef, pork, goat and produce.

“It's always exciting for students to see their hard work being used in real-life situations,” Sobba said. “I believe it's important to support that whenever possible.”

More Americans want to eat healthier and understand where their food comes from. UCM Farms provides locally raised products and an opportunity to learn about farming in Johnson County. Hume invites local partners and customers to tour the farms, greenhouses, high tunnels and facilities to see everything UCM has to offer firsthand.

UCM Farms owns a beef cattle operation comprised of Simmental and Angus cattle that are used for education and production. Hume said students and staff take pride in offering locally raised, grass-fed, grain-finished beef. In addition, the University Farm finishes pork and plans to add meat goats. UCM also grows fruits and vegetables, an area that is steadily expanding to provide more diverse offerings.

Pork, beef and meat goats raised in Missouri rank in the top 10 commodities sold nationwide, making these livestock an important part of students’ education.  

“By taking this meat directly to the consumer, we will be able to expand our partnership with Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies students and increase our revenue retained on the farms to continue to invest back into the farms and facilities to improve our students' experiential learning,” Hume said.

As needs change and demand grows, the University Farm is expanding. The new rifle shooting range was completed this spring, so focus has shifted to securing funding to construct a hog barn on the Prussing Farm and purchase more bred heifers and commercial bulls. Hume said the goal is to complete the cattle fundraiser in August, just in time for UCM to participate in regional fall sales.

For more information about UCM Farms, visit ucmo.edu/farms. To schedule a farm tour or learn more about supporting ongoing fundraisers, contact Hume at thume@ucmo.edu or 660-441-4116.

The University Store, 114 W. South St. in Warrensburg, has summer hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more details, visit ucmbookstore.com.