The New York Times ran an excellent article in the Sunday paper about Camas Davis, Portland’s own writer/butcher/teacher extraordinaire.
From the Times –
On a recent morning in Portland, Ore., Camas Davis was teaching nine high-school kids how to butcher a pig. A 17-year-old named Mady called dibs on the front trotter, slicing through the skin near the pig’s ankle, then using a hand saw to cut through the bone. Nathan, 15, moved up the leg and worked through the hock, while Karina, 16, eyed the shoulder. Pushing up the sleeves of her red cardigan, she placed her blade between the fifth and sixth ribs, scored the flesh, then gave the knife a long pull, separating the shoulder from the carcass, but leaving intact the coppa — a muscle around the pig’s neck — in case anyone wanted to roast it.
The article goes on to detail the rest of the class being offered to students at Oregon Episcopal School, before moving to The Portland Meat Collective (click here for a class schedule) “a group of butchers and chefs that offers classes on meat production, butchery, cooking and, yes, slaughter”, founded by Davis.
It’s an excellent article for anyone interested in learning butchery, how one teaches a group of squeamish students about slaughter, and a good background on Camas Davis.
One thing that wasn’t covered is the current PMC Kickstarter campaign. Here is a clip from their Kickstarter article –
Here’s another thing I just recently started learning: people across America want Meat Collectives to call their own. Ever since my story about a mysterious case of some missing rabbits was aired on This American Life in December, I’ve received emails each week from folks in Washington, Georgia, Vermont, Michigan, Florida, Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, British Columbia, even Sydney, Australia, all of whom want a Meat Collective in their town.
The Portland Meat Collective has undeniably changed Portland’s relationship to meat. Why keep the Meat Collective model all to ourselves? Why not share the love? Why not empower other communities to start their own?
I don’t see any reason not to. So, I’ve just launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise enough money to start spreading the Meat Collective model across America. If you’ve taken a class from the Portland Meat Collective, you know the value of what we do. If you haven’t taken a class from us, we’re assuming you’re familiar with the ways we’ve changed the face of meat here in Portland. And if you’re receiving this email on a computer in some far away place, perhaps you’re one of those people who wish there was a Meat Collective in your town. No matter who you are, you can make a difference in many people’s lives by backing our campaign.
I’m pledging some cash. Will you? On Kickstarter, it doesn’t cost you anything unless they make their goal. Let’s help fund this terrific venture.
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