CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Meat lovers and producers are gathering in Concord for the first ever New England Meat Conference aimed at improving the production, processing, and marketing of meat raised on New England farms.

The two-day conference started on Friday at the Grappone Conference Center and includes a live cutting demonstration from master butchers and a “Meat Ball” with live music, food from area farms and awards.

Workshops will be held on heritage breeds, economics of grass-fed beef, working with distributors, equipment for processing meat, and managing labor.

The meat ball kicks off Friday night at 5:30 p.m. with meat and other food from New England farms, music and a presentation by master butcher Kari Underly, author of the “The Art of Meat Cutting.”