National Deer Association Teams up with Meat Your Maker to Teach Adults
Luke Cuenco 02.14.22
The Field to Fork Program is a joint venture between the National Deer Association and the folks over at Meat Your Maker to provide curious adults with no hunting experiencewith the knowledge, and tools needed to put food on the table for themselves and their families – all without visiting the grocery store. The Field to Farm Program will teach newcomers not only how to hunt, but also about conservancy, hunting methods, and how to process their own game meat for future consumption. The first successful Field to Fork event was hosted in late 2021 and now more and more local organizations are replicating the success of the program to spread knowledge to more potential hunters.
National Deer Association Teams up with Meat Your Maker to Teach Adults
The National Deer Association’s (NDA) Field to Fork is a food-focused hunter recruitment program for adults from non-hunting backgrounds piloted in Athens, Georgia in 2016 by NDA Director of Hunting Hank Forester and Charles S. Evans, the Georgia R3 Coordinator with the Georgia Wildlife Federation. Hinging on a unique approach involving recruitment at a local farmer’s market, visitors were asked if they wanted to sample from a spread of venison sausage, grilled backstrap or venison jerky, and they were provided with a handout titled “Why Should You Hunt Deer?” They were then offered the chance to participate in a season-long mentored hunting program that would teach them how to hunt and acquire a wild, healthy, local, sustainable source of food on their own.
If you or someone you know might be interested in participating or hosting their own Field to Fork program, you can contact Hank Forester who will provide you with the pertinent information. For many, hunting isn’t just a recreational pastime. For some, the art and tradition of hunting is what brings high-quality protein to the table, and through the act of responsibly hunting and processing your own meat, you’re helping to contribute to American conservancy efforts.
