The University of Kentucky Meats Science Laboratory is a fully functional, USDA-inspected meat processing facility with the goals of teaching and research. 

UK classes such as ASC 300: Meat Science, ASC 630: Advanced Meat Science, ASC 102: Applications of Animal Science, and ASC 406: Beef Cattle Science are taught in the Meats Lab, as well as offering tours for various other Martin-Gatton CAFE classes, high schools and county 4-H programs. 

The Meats Lab is host to several Cooperative Extension programs such as the Meat Cutting School, the Master Cattlemen’s Program, the Food Systems Innovation Center and the 4-H Country Ham Project.