VSU's Small Ruminant Mobile Meat Processing Lab

VSU's Small Ruminant Mobile Meat Processing Lab offers slaughter and processing services in Petersburg, Virginia, serving farms throughout the greater Richmond region. Operated through Virginia State University, this mobile unit travels to producers rather than requiring animals be transported off-site, reducing stress on livestock and easing logistics for small and mid-sized operations.

The lab handles cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, giving diversified farms a single resource for multiple species rather than juggling separate processors. Its mobile format makes it a practical option for smaller flocks or herds that might not justify a trip to a fixed-location facility, and for producers who want more control over how and where their animals are processed.

Rooted in a university extension setting, the program reflects an educational and research-oriented approach to meat processing alongside its practical services. For farmers, homesteaders, and small-scale meat producers in the Petersburg area, it represents a locally accessible option for finishing livestock into market-ready product without long-distance hauling.