SMALL-SCALE MEAT PROCESSORS ARE VIEWED AS MORE ETHICAL ALTERNATIVES TO LARGE-SCALE INDUSTRIAL PLANTS, YET THERE IS LIMITED EMPIRICAL RESEARCH TO VALIDATE THESE CLAIMS. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXPOSED VULNERABILITIES IN THE MEAT SUPPLY CHAIN, HIGHLIGHTING INCREASING INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION AND SIGNIFICANT WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. IN RESPONSE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE VIABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL-SCALE PROCESSING PLANTS, WHICH MAY PROVIDE NUMEROUS BENEFITS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES INCLUDING SUPPORTING SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FARMERS, CREATING JOBS, AND REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS COMPARED TO LARGE-SCALE PROCESSORS. HOWEVER, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT GAP IN RESEARCH ON THESE CLAIMS AND HOW THESE OPERATIONS CAN BETTER SERVE COMMUNITIES, PARTICULARLY WORKERS. THIS PROJECT WILL EXPLORE HOW WORKERS IN SMALL-SCALE MEAT PROCESSING DEFINE ETHICAL PRACTICES, WHAT CHALLENGES THEY FACE, AND WHAT CHANGES COULD HELP SUPPORT THEIR WELL-BEING AND THE SUCCESS OF THE PLANTS. THE RESEARCH WILL INCLUDE INTERVIEWS WITH WORKERS, A REGIONAL SURVEY OF PROCESSORS, AND PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOPS. TOGETHER WITH PLANT OPERATORS, FARMERS, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP RESOURCES, POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS, AND BEST PRACTICES TO IMPROVE LABOR CONDITIONS AND LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF THESE BUSINESSES. BY FOCUSING ON WORKERS' PERSPECTIVES AND BUILDING SOLUTIONS COLLABORATIVELY, THIS PROJECT WILL HELP ENSURE THAT SMALL-SCALE MEAT PROCESSORS CAN GROW IN WAYS THAT ARE NOT ONLY MORE SUSTAINABLE, BUT ALSO MORE JUST FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THEM. THE RESULTS WILL INFORM ACADEMIC RESEARCH, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, AND PUBLIC POLICY EFFORTS THAT AIM TO SUPPORT HEALTHY, RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.