JMF Slaughter (Mobile Unit)

JMF Slaughter (Mobile Unit) is a very small USDA-inspected establishment based at 1995 Gericke Rd. in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, operating under establishment number M47369. The federal record lists meat slaughter and meat processing activities, a grant of inspection dated August 27, 2021, and slaughter of cattle, sheep and lamb under inspection. The plant also reports custom-exempt processing. Its FSIS slaughter volume category is 1, meaning under 1,000 head per year.

The business describes itself as a locally owned and operated USDA certified mobile slaughter unit serving Sonoma County and surrounding areas, owned and operated by John M. Fagundes, known as Johnny, who is himself a cattle producer. The website states that services are open to the public and that all animals are handled humanely throughout the slaughter process. Fagundes was born and raised in Santa Rosa, learned cattle ranching from his grandfather, and has grown his own herd. The site links to coverage in the North Bay Business Journal about Sonoma County mobile slaughterhouses and to an It's All Money Podcast episode about JMF and Full Circle Ranches.

Species coverage is stated inconsistently across sources. The About Us page says the unit offers USDA slaughter for beef, hogs, sheep, and goats, while the Services and Pricing page states plainly that hogs are not currently processed. The federal record lists cattle, sheep and lamb as species slaughtered under inspection. Buyers should confirm species directly with the operator. The website's home page carries a "Now Scheduling" notice, but availability is as listed and should be verified.

JMF Slaughter travels to the animals rather than the animals traveling to a plant, serving Sonoma County and surrounding areas. Posted pricing is $265.00 per beef, which the site states includes brand inspection, USDA slaughter, offal, and USDA local delivery, with a $30.00 surcharge for beef over 850 lbs. hot weight and $35.00 for cattle over 30 months. Goats and sheep are $95.00, including USDA slaughter, offal, and local delivery, with $15.00 added for animals over 100 lbs. hot weight. Free delivery requires a minimum of five carcasses; fewer than five carries a $35.00 delivery fee, waived if a delivery to the same processor is already scheduled. The services page states hogs are not currently processed, though the About Us page lists hogs. Contact the operator for the delivery schedule and to confirm species and booking.

JMF Slaughter (Mobile Unit) reports custom-exempt processing to FSIS, which means it can process an animal a customer already owns (a whole, half, or share bought before slaughter) and return it in packages marked Not for Sale. Most small farms have one or two plants they book with, and the plant's calendar decides the delivery date.

JMF Slaughter is a mobile slaughter operation, not a retail meat counter. The website describes slaughter and delivery of carcasses to a local processor or butcher shop, where cutting and wrapping would take place. No retail sales, halves or quarters, bundles, shipping, or online ordering are mentioned in the sources. Households buying a whole or half animal from a Sonoma County rancher may encounter JMF as the slaughter step in that chain.

If you are buying a half or quarter animal, the plant is where the animal is processed; the farm sells you the animal. Read how to buy a half cow for the sequence and the math.