BMCC Accepting Applications For Its Master Butcher Program

Blue Mountain Community College is now accepting applications for the next level of its Master Butcher Certificate Program.  The Level 3 program, "Meat Entrepreneurship and Management", runs from July through September and focuses on meat business operations, facility management and leadership training.

Students Will Get Real World Tools They Can Use Immediately

Developed with Oregon State University and industry experts, the 12-week hybrid course, which runs July 6 – September 25, is designed for people looking to manage a meat processing facility, buy an existing business or start one of their own. 

“This level of the program is really about helping people move from knowing the craft to understanding the business behind it,” said Kylie Burris, OSU Meat Science Instructor. “We’re giving participants practical tools they can immediately apply to real-world operations — whether that’s improving an existing facility, managing a team, or building something from the ground up.” 

Participants Will Cover A Host Of Topics

School officials said participants will complete the Meat Processor Academy curriculum through self-paced coursework, averaging approximately 2–3 hours of recorded content each week, along with three live online roundtable discussions.

Topics include: 

• Permitting, facility design, layout, and equipment selection
• Product costing and managerial accounting
• Key performance indicators (KPIs) and data-driven decision-making
• Leadership, workplace culture, labor planning, hiring and firing practices 
• Incentive structures and staff training
• Recall plans, food safety defense plans, and regulatory compliance
• In-Person Workshop Experience

Students are required to attend a two-day, hands-on workshop August 29–30 at the BMCC campus in Pendleton, OR.  Workshop experiences include: 

• Advanced further processed meats, including ground, smoked, and cured products
• Facility and operational planning
• Half-day local plant tour with owner perspectives
• Hands-on pork fabrication focused on maximizing product value and profitability

To earn the Level 3 certificate, participants must complete the online coursework, attend the in-person workshop, and submit the required “Planning Your Business” template. 

What Do You  Need To Know Before Applying?

To participate, applicants must have completed Level 1 and Level 2 of the Master Butcher Certificate Program, or possess a HACCP-equivalent certification and/or at least two years of meat shop or processing plant experience. 

Application Deadline: June 12, 2026 

Tuition: $1,000 

BMCC said partial scholarships are available based on need, and all applicants are encouraged to apply for scholarship consideration through the registration form. 

Applications will be reviewed during the week of June 15–19, with invitations to participate sent by June 22. All payments must be received by July 3.

Visit BMCC's Website to learn more or to apply.

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