Shortage of Slaughterhouses

The young "local, natural, and humane" meat movement is already being stifled by the lack of local, small, humane slaughter facilities. Farmers have been aware of this issue for some time and now awareness seems to be rising amongst people who enjoy local meats. Here is a NY Times Article that focuses on the situation in California. I have also recently heard that the few remaining slaughter facilities in Northern California are raising their minimum animal limit - meaning a farmer has to bring in at least 20 pigs at a time or 600 chickens. That is pretty tough to do for a small farm. I am constantly getting calls from farmers who used to use these facilities and now are shut out. It really puts a damper on the availability of local meats.