It's a long way from Clarion to Ames, but Elmarie and Manie Nel are used to going the distance to achieve their dreams. Compared to coming to Iowa from South Africa to pursue the American Dream, making the journey from Clarion to Ames to compete in the Cured Meat Championships at the Iowa Meat Processors Convention was really just a short jaunt.
And it sure wasn't a wasted trip! They came back with two championships, one reserve championship, and a plaque of recognition for excellence.
"Feels good when hard work and dedication pays off," they posted to their Facebook page after the victory.
Of course, it's not the first time their hard work and dedication has paid off in championships. Since they reopened the Clarion Locker in 2009, the locker had previously won First Place for Bratwurst and Reserve Champion for Ham at the Iowa State Fair, as well as Reserve Grand Champion and Reserve Champion in Meat Snack Sticks, Reserve Champion in Jerky, and Champion in Flavored Snack Sticks, Cooked Ring Bologna, and Center Cut Smoked Pork Loin at previous Cured Meat Championships. To which they can now add another Championship in both Flavored and regular Meat Snack Sticks, and another Reserve Championship in Ground & Formed Jerky. Which is all the more impressive when you realize that they only entered four contests, and placed in three of them!
Speaking to the Monitor the Nels admitted, "this is a very tough competition," where they competed against Lockers across Iowa. They explained why they didn't enter more contests, noting that they have been waiting on a new smokehouse to be installed, which they hope to have completed by April, and dealing with parts on backorder.
And even after winning so much, the Nels aren't willing to rest on their laurels. "With our new smokehouse we intend to offer a better quality product," the pair noted, adding that the new smokehouse will also provide them with greater efficiency, and shorter cooking cycles. "So stay tuned for more tasty smoked meats," they said assuredly.
And as expert as they are already, they still haven't stopped learning either. "The Meat Industry is very interesting and there is always so much more to learn so that we can grow as processors," Elmarie noted, pointing out that they take advantage of training programs whenever they can, and that indeed Manie – who serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Iowa Meat Processors Association – attended classes at the University of Wisconsin just last month, earning yet another certificate, and further refining his skills.
That drive for constant improvement isn't new for them either. "Over the years we have improved our quality and offerings to our customers," the Nels said. They still focus on quarter, half, or whole animal processing, they explained, but have also added on several co-packaging opportunities for third parties.
They've increased their space and staff to better meet demand, as well. "Due to Covid we have seen a big increase in the consumers' needs for knowing where their meats are coming from and how their meat is handled," they revealed. In response, the pair applied for a $200k Meat & Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant, which allowed them to expand from 8,000 square feet to 16,600 square feet, and to attain "state of the art equipment to help automate our processing." Those improvements have led to the plant being approved to transition from being a State Inspected plant to Federal Status by this fall, which will open many more opportunities for the Locker and their third party partners.
Another area of expansion is into producing raw and freeze-dried pet treats, which is done in a separate building from the Locker, and falls under a different inspection license. However, shoppers can buy the treats for their furry friends at the Locker's retail area, as well as at finer retailers across Iowa.
The Nels view their work as very community oriented, and expressed a hope that shoppers will also patronize local farmers and producers directly. "We encourage our local consumers to support our local farm producers and enjoy the great quality of meats that we have the luxury of here in Iowa," they said. And if you don't know a producer to contact, the Nels encourage consumers to reach out to them to get an introduction to local livestock producers.
"We are happy to grow our business here in Clarion," the pair said, adding that "we truly appreciate all our customers that support our business. Thank You!"
