Grandson learns meat-processing business from grandfather
Wins state proficiency
award in ag processing
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
As a student in the ag department at Centre High School and also a member of Centre FFA, Steven Hageberg learned about the various cuts in a meat carcass. Now he is using that knowledge as a meat-cutter at Burdick Meat Market.
The senior is learning the meat-processing business from his grandfather, Gary Hageberg, who has operated the market for at least 50 years.
Steven, whose parents, Mike and Denice Hageberg live in rural Burdick, grew up around the business.
As a child, he spent time at the store visiting with his grandmother, Marilyn, while observing meat-cutters and packagers doing their work.
Steven began helping at the meat market as an eighth grader. He spent time after school hauling meat and doing cleanup.
He joined his grandfather at the store on Saturdays in curing hams, smoking sausage, and preparing other specialty products.
This year, Steven is enrolled in a work-study program which allows him to leave school at 1 p.m. and work at the meat market as long as his schedule permits. He was a football player and now plays golf, which limits his school-day hours at the shop.
Gary said he decided this year Steven was old enough to learn how to cut up a carcass. Because the teenager can work more hours during the week, it became more plausible.
Steven has been doing that part of the processing all year.
"I'm gonna miss him when he's not here anymore," Gary said.
Steven said it took him awhile to figure out how to get the various cuts out of a carcass. He uses a knife and a hand saw to dissect the carcass, then uses an electric saw to cut each piece into smaller sections for further processing.
He said his grandfather's dedication to his work these many years is an inspiration to him.
Steven plans to go to technical school after high school to become a lineman for an electric utility company.
"If I ever decide I want to change, I'll have the experience to do that," he said.
Steven won 2006 district and state FFA proficiency awards in ag processing. He also has earned the state FFA degree.
He will be recognized in June at the state FFA convention in Manhattan.
