WILLMAR, MINN. – Ridgewater College recently received a commendation from the Minnesota legislature regarding its meat cutting program.

The 18 credits needed to pass the program include beginning meat cutting and advanced meat processing. The operation is led by Sophia Berg, who recently received the 2024 Minnesota Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program award from the Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators.

“Receiving this has been rewarding,” Berg said of the recent legislative resolution. “It proves that our work is making an impact and that there is support from both industry and the state. The uniqueness of the delivery is what makes this program stand out amongst other programs.”

The program at Ridgewater partners students with butcher shops in local communities to obtain knowledge and apply skills learned at the college.

Some highlighted supporters of the resolution include Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Melissa Hortman, Rules and Legislative Administration Chair Jamie Long, and Representative Dawn Gillman.