When you ask Jamie Smith of Bluescreek Farms what’s the one thing people should know about their meat but don’t, she takes a moment to seriously consider the question. See, meat is Jamie’s life; she spends almost every moment of her days tending to, talking about, selling, and eating, a lot of meat. So when she is asked about her favorite pastime, it’s no light matter.
“I would have to say ask for help,” Smith divulges after a minute. “Lots of people who don’t know will say so and ask for help. But a lot of people won’t. And that I think is a big problem – not asking the people who do know what to do.”
And that’s why Bluescreek Farms is offering a series of classes designed for the education of carnivores. Sessions range from how to correctly butcher an animal, to sustainable farming and shopping, to sausage making.
“We’ve found that the average person doesn’t really understand just where their meat comes from,” Smith shares. “They know it comes from an animal and all that, but they don’t truly understand what that means.”
So once a month, Bluescreek holds a themed class at their North Market location for those curious about their meat. On April 10th, the topic will be Breaking Down the Hog, where for $95, visitors get an in-depth demonstration of how to correctly butcher a pig, get their questions answered about each cut and its best uses, receive materials related to their new education, and learn important knife sharpening skills. The class is already sold out, but they will be offering it again on June 20th, so sign up early as spots are limited.
There are still open places for the May 22nd Farm to Table which focuses on organic husbandry and will include tasting samples at the end of beef, lamb, goat, and pork. Entry is only $35 for this course, and it promises to be informative and gratifying. The goal with all these classes is to lay to rest the misnomers people have about animal farming, from the alleged irresponsible care of the animals to the ostensible butchery involved.
“We treat our animals correctly, and we want people to see that,” Smith emphasizes. “It shouldn’t be just about buy and eat… it’s about everything in between for us”.
For more on these classes, or to reserve your spot, visit www.bluescreekfarmmeats.com or call them at 614-228-5727 to place an order.
Photo via Bluescreek Farm.