Ridgewater’s Meat Cutting Program Receives Award

After being available for just two years, Ridgewater’s Meat Cutting program has been named the 2024 Minnesota Outstanding Post-Secondary Agriculture Program by the Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators (MAAE). Instructor Sophia Thommes Berg of Bird Island was honored at the MAAE conference in Plymouth.
 
MAAE award criteria includes curriculum, experiential learning and marketing to leadership development, partnerships, and professional growth. During the past two years, Berg has worked with industry partners to lead the development of the new Ridgewater program, which includes both Beginning Meat Cutting and Advanced Meat Processing certificates.

The unique delivery model blends online instruction with an apprenticeship, experiential learning model that partners students with industry-partner butcher shops in their local communities. Part-time and full-time students take single courses or pursue full certificates.
 
Ridgewater’s Vice President of Student Success Mike Kutzke says Sophia has been instrumental in developing a curriculum that not only educates but also inspires students to pursue careers in meat cutting and processing. He says her leadership and vision have been key to the program’s success, and her ability to build strong industry relationships has been crucial in the development and success of the Meat Cutting program.
 
Berg says the nomination for the award was huge in itself.  She says when she was granted the award, it gave her such a sense of accomplishment. She’s a member of the state and national associations for agriculture educators and for meat processors. According to Berg, attending and conducting workshops helps her develop industry and educational relationships to make contacts that help her and her students. For more information about Ridgewater’s Meat Cutting program, go to www.ridgewater.edu/meatcutting.