The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) has announced the addition of three new staff members to expand its resources to benefit the agricultural industry. As of January 1, 2022, AURI added a new Meat Innovation Specialist, a Business Development Director of Meat and a Communications Coordinator.
Clay Newton, a native of Echo, Minnesota serves as AURI’s Meat Innovation Specialist. In this role, he provides direct assistance to the meat sector by integrating novel and existing meat innovations to stakeholders and clients. Newton will provide product development and scale up assistance, education and training coordination as well as manage AURI’s meat laboratory in Marshall, Minn. Newton’s background is in product development, meat lab operations, research project management, and teaching. He is proficient in the slaughter, fabrication, processing, and sales of beef, pork, and lamb, including packaging and displaying products in the retail store.