The need for qualified animal handling and meat processing employees is in high demand throughout the USA. As a student in the Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery program, you’ll learn about the meat production industry – from care and handling pre-mortem through packaged products ready for retail sale. In this program, you will also participate in an internship with a local meat processing facility, butcher shop, or harvester.

Skills learned include:

  • Meat industry knowledge and history
  • Humane handling practices, selection, and care of animals
  • Carcass fabrication, identification, and further processing methods
  • Meat labeling, packaging, and retail operations
  • Food safety and sanitation practices following ServSafe and HACCP principles

Students who complete the Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery program can utilize this education to:

  • Begin a career as a butcher or meat retailer
  • Continue post-secondary education in animal sciences
  • Utilize skills for at-home or on-farm processing and storage

Program Highlights

  • Short-term Technical Diploma: Three classes in the fall semester of 2026 and one class and internship in the spring semester of 2027.
  • Hybrid Classes: Ten in-person labs on Saturdays, two in-person field trips, and limited weekday online coursework.
  • Industry Training: Work with meat-focused businesses to gain hands-on experience with local professionals in your 144 hour internship.

The Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery program is being offered at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College campus in Fennimore, WI. For more information, please contact Heather Oppor by emailing Heather.

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  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    If you have good hand eye coordination, memory retention, and are interested in working with meat and providing quality products to customers, you might consider a career as a butcher. While many butchers work for supermarkets or factories, many are self-employed.

    Students entering the Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery program should:

    • Be able to lift 30 pounds
    • Have respect for the care and humane handling of animals
    • Pay attention to details and neatness
    • Prioritize safety and sanitation
    • Have good hand-eye coordination
    • Think creatively

    Program Basics

    • This program is open to ages 16+
    • Classes are scheduled to be held at the Southwest Wisconsin Technical College campus in Fennimore, WI.
    • The program will include on-line, in-person, and hands-on learning and participation.
  • Curriculum & Costs
  • Admissions & Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
      • Admissions Preference Policy
      Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.

    Academic Preparedness Requirements

      Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:

    • Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Career Assessment Plan
      Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
    • Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
      Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of this program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Examine components of a farm-to-table meat production system.
    • Prepare whole muscle and value-added products for consumption.
    • Merchandise meat for sale.
    • Properly handle and store meat in accordance with ServSafe and HACCP principles.
  • Career Opportunities

  • Southwest Tech’s Career Connection Center offers services to assist students looking for job placement.

    Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  • Transfers

  • Southwest Tech has entered into numerous post-secondary transfer agreements with area colleges and universities to support our graduates' continuing education. Students interested in transferring Artisanal Modern Meat Butchery credits to other colleges or universities are  strongly encouraged  to check with the receiving institution first, prior to enrolling in coursework at Southwest Tech.