This is the go-to conference for aspiring pasture-based business professionals

Our most recent conference took place on July 30-31, 2024 at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. The event was attended by 640 participants. Future conference dates are still to be determined. Potential dates would be 2026 or 2027.

 Please click the button below if you would like to stay in the loop about future conferences!

2024 | the southern summit for local meats

The Carolina Meat Conference supports a growing community committed to supporting sustainable food production through fostering regenerative production practices, advancing market opportunities, and increasing customer access to pasture-based meats. Farmers, chefs, butchers, and industry leaders convene for two days of unparalleled networking, hands-on training, and technical and business assistance.

This is the go-to conference for aspiring pasture-based business professionals and has sold out every year since our beginnings in 2011!

This year, for the first time ever, the Carolina Meat Conference is combining forces with the National Meat Summits and the Southeast Value-Added Dairy Conference for the ultimate meat and cheese event of the year. This means you’ll gain access to even MORE programming and networking opportunities including:

  • Local meat and cheese tastings

  • Hands-on workshops including a live animal processing workshop with an inspected red meat mobile processing unit from Virginia State University

  • A new meat grading service for small plants from USDA AMS

  • One-on-one curbside consulting with some of the nation's top experts in the field

  • Book signings, butchery demos, targeted business and marketing training from 70+ cutting edge speakers who are pushing the envelope of what it means to be regenerative across industry and academia

Plus you won't want to miss our Argentinian-style, live fire farm supper featuring local beef, pork, lamb, and chicken prepared by Chef Craig Morrow of Live Fire Feasts.

“Much of the research presented confirmed my intuition about the benefits of regenerative farming. I was particularly encouraged to meet so many livestock farmers that put animal
welfare and a healthy ecology at the forefront of their farming practices. After attending, I now feel less alone and like I have gained a community.
”
— 2024 Attendee