Transportation and Marketing

Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant

Fiscal Year 2021 Description of Funded Projects

Number of Grants Awarded: 167

Amount of Funds Awarded: $32,733,841.17

For more information, please visit the grant program's website: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/mpirg

NOTE: The below project descriptions were provided by the grant recipients.

Alabama

Recipient: Renegade's Meat Processing LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Renegades Meat Processing Expansion to become Federally Inspected and Increase Capacity 

Renegades Meat Processing intends to obtain federal inspection for slaughter and processing by 

expending its facility to increase capacity and offer retail sales of locally grown livestock products. We 

can provide our community with an opportunity to eat fresh locally grown product that comes directly 

from local farmers and /or ranchers.

Recipient: Southeast Alabama Meat Processing LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Upgrading Infrastructure and Equipment at Southeast Alabama Meat Processing to Bolster 

Southeastern Meat Supply 

Southeast Alabama Meat Processing (SAMP) is an up-and-coming, custom-exempt slaughter and 

processing facility in Newton, Alabama. Our 4 full-time employees operate a 3,200 sq. ft. facility and 

process 8 to 10 beef and 3 hogs per week. We offer fresh cuts of meat and value-added products. Our 

facility is 5 hours away from the nearest beef and pork USDA processing plant. With a grant of Federal 

inspection, SAMP will be the only USDA beef and pork processing facility in Southeast Alabama, which 

will fill a critical processing void in the Alabama, Florida, and Georgia tri-state region. To earn the Federal 

grant of inspection and increase our processing capacity to keep up with demand for our services, SAMP 

will install a new building to house a carcass cooler with a taller ceiling to allow for the hanging of halved 

instead of quartered beef, which will support USDA compliance and increase capacity by 17 beef cattle 
and 10 hogs per week. The efficient, stable cooling will also improve food safety and reduce carcass trim 

waste by as much as 166,000 pounds per year. A new packaging rollstock system will improve labeling 

compliance, accuracy, and reduce processing times by 50 percent. A twister-linker machine will decrease 

food waste by up to 10 percent and reduce sausage processing time by 25 percent. We aim to create a 

new market access point for at least 300 additional local livestock farmers and increase our net 

production to approximately triple its current level.

Recipient: Slasham Valley Farms, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Increasing economic opportunity for a small meat processing facility by improving the facility to 

operate in compliance with the Federal Meat Inspection Act and capacity and efficiency 

Slasham Valley Farms, LLC, located in [rural] Ashville, AL in St. Clair County, proposes to increase 

capacity by using USDA proposed funds to improve meat slaughter capacity and efficiency, developing 

new and expanding markets, and increasing capacity to meet consumer and producer demands and gain 

Federal Inspection status. Most importantly, this facility wants to enhance current operations with new 

equipment in order to maintain a strong inspection and food safety standards. This grant would help an 

existing small facility that helps smaller farms and socially disadvantaged farms in the area.

Recipient: Curbside Provisions, LLC

Award Amount: $185,000

Total Project Amount: $185,000

Championing Rural Family Farms Whole Project 

The Championing Rural Farms Whole Project’s purpose is to grow distribution channels for rural family 

farms. Curbside Provisions has much experience selling the benefits of supporting rural farms and has 

employees with experience selling in the wholesale market. In order to achieve the project’s outcomes, 

the plant is requesting fund to improve processing efficiency and capacity. The addition Curbside 

Provisions as USDA inspected facility, will build a stronger food supply chain and benefit small rural 

family farms by providing more opportunity to sell the meat to a processor with shared valves. 

Recipient: D&S Quality Beef, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Facility Upgrade and Expansion for Improved Processing and Storage Capabilities 

The intent of this project is to upgrade and expand our facility to aid in our application for a federal 

grant of inspection. With this funding, our primary goal is to improve our storage capabilities for both 

carcasses and finished product. Secondarily, these improvements will open up processing space that 

should increase facility efficiency. Our current freezer is undersized and allows condensation to freeze 

on the ceiling. Instead of repairing a freezer that is too small, our plan is to adda new freezer that is 

three times larger to our building. We are going to upgrade the old cooling units in our carcass cooler to 
provide additional storage capabilities for harvested beef. With the new freezer, we will be able to 

convert the old freezer into a larger fresh cooler and add space to our processing room. By increasing 

storage capacity and improving the quality of the facility we will be able to meet the requirements for a 

federal grant of inspection. With the federal grant of inspection and increased capacity, we want to 

provide a viable, long term option for cattle producers in our area.

Recipient: Alabama A & M University

Award Amount: $150,855

Total Project Amount: $150,855

Establishing a federally inspected poultry slaughter and processing facility at AAMU 

The Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Poultry Unit houses a slaughter facility and broiler rearing facility 

on AAMU’s campus. The Poultry Unit employs two full time associates and capable to slaughter/process 

200-500 chickens per day. The Unit seeks federal inspection of poultry slaughter and the production of 

poultry products as part of this MPIRG Project. The funding (Inspection) will allow the University to 

produce poultry and poultry products that would enter commerce and to offer commercial slaughter to 

home and small-scale producers that desire to sell their products.

The facility has a small poultry slaughter line and has slaughtered rabbits in the past, both under 

exemption rules. The University will use funding top purchase equipment needed to efficiently 

slaughter, process, store, and sell poultry meat and poultry meat products. Research has not required 

scales for sales, large vacuum sealers for storage, nor smokers for further processing. Funding will 

purchase these items as well as update cooling and freezing systems to ensure no product loss.

The funding and inspection will allow the University to enter meat commerce as well as the service 

industry as the Unit will charge fees for slaughter and processing. The University will be able to train 

students in poultry meat harvesting/processing, sales and marketing, and regulations as outcomes from 

this project. The community will gain a resource for safe and reliable slaughter and alternative meat 

products. This will increase the University’s capacity in working with the community while having local 

producers increase in number and increase in production.

Alaska

Recipient: Burris Corporation

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

USDA Slaughter 

Burris Corporation DBA Mat Valley Meats, or MVM, has already begun the process of becoming selfsufficient. By integrating the processing operation to originate with USDA slaughter and USDA further

processing, it will be able to meet current retail needs and expand into wholesale meat operations. 

Firstly, we upgrade facility utilities, and facility freezer and cooler storage, which is currently in process. 

In 2020 the septic system was upgraded from a single tank to a three-tank system with two leach fields 

that can alternately be used while the other rests. Also, the electricity is currently being upgraded from 

600A 3 phase to 1200A 3 phase. 
Secondly, is to fabricate a mobile slaughter trailer, and mobile cooler that can be used either on site at 

another location to slaughter animals under USDA inspection so that it can be processed and sold at the 

two locations that MVM owns operates. This is planned to be a 3-unit modular system that consists of a 

kill/bleed/scald first unit, a skin, eviscerate and inspection second unit, and a third trailer divided into a 

fast cool section and an aging section. Two 1-ton trucks have been purchased for hauling units around, 

costing approximately $125,000.

Once trailer have been built, USDA inspection granted, and operations are underway, the next step is to 

build an inspection further processing facility on the east side of the MVM building to facilitate 

wholesale operations that allows MVM to expand into restaurants, school districts, and large wholesale 

accounts. 

Arizona

Recipient: Carter Cattle LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Small Meat Plant Expansion and Equipment Acquisition for Federal Grant of Inspection 

The Planned construction will double the processing area of our plant. This expansion will allow us to 

hire three additional employees. The project would acquire sufficient facility to provide mandated 

appropriate USDA inspectors office space, hence allowing our facility to obtain USDA inspection status. 

Recipient: Heartquist Hollow Farm, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Heartquist Hollow Farm LLC/Double Check Ranch Processing Facility Improvement & Expansion 

Plan 

Heartquist Hollow Farm (HHF) LLC intends to improve and expand upon the meat processing plant

previously owned and operated by Double Check Ranch HHF intends to improve the existing 1,100 sq.ft.

Facility into a~5,000 sq. Ft. Processing facility in several phases. This grant will help HHF complete the

first phase by increasing production capacity from 4 cows per week to 12 cows per week and also

provide division to new livestock (i.e. hogs, lambs, and wild game). Funding from the grant for this initial 

phase will also set the plant up to meet the requirements to Federal Grant of Inspection.

Recipient: Steve Sullivan DBA Flying S. Cattle

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Transitioning from a custom exempt to a FMIA facility 

Flying S Cattle Company LLC. is a family-owned slaughter and processing business in a rural ranching 

area of Gila County Arizona, our customer base is made up of local ranchers, San Carlos Apache Tribe, 

and other livestock owners in the area. Mission is to ensure we supply our customers with the highest 
quality custom processing service we can provide to accomplish this goal our facility is in need of 

slaughter and processing equipment and freezer capacity we also need to replace our well to improve 

water quality. With the upgrade we will be able to increase our production and better serve our 

customer base by allowing them more access to more than the local markets they currently serve. With 

these improvements our facility will allow us to build a strong business structure and abide by or surpass 

industry regulations to ensure that we offer fair business practices and a safe work place environment. 

We intend to modify our facility to process both Federally inspected and exempt livestock to grow and 

expand our business and staff by hiring and training employees from the local area. 

We expect to double our current capacity by equipment upgrade and storage capacity allowing us to 

increase our customer base. The facility improvements will also enhance our safety for employees with 

modernizing both live handling and processing equipment.

Arkansas

Recipient: University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

Award Amount: $199,697

Total Project Amount: $199,697

Improvements to the capacity and infrastructure of the University of Arkansas Red Meat 

Laboratory 

The purpose of this project is to obtain the grant of federal inspection for the University of Arkansas Red 

Meat Laboratory through infrastructure improvements and updating the facility. The current facility was 

built during the 1960's and needs several infrastructure upgrades in order to keep functioning. 

Infrastructure improvements will primarily be the environmental temperature system, as well as 

equipment to update and make the harvest floor and processing rooms safer. These infrastructure 

improvements will allow us to better serve our stakeholders, including local producers and processors, 

as well as our undergraduate and graduate students. Upon completion of the infrastructure 

modernization and grant of federal inspection, we plan to start weekly meat sales to the public and 

increase the use of facilities for training students, local processors, as well as increase research 

productivity.

Recipient: A&C Meat Company

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

A & C Meat Company, LLC. Facility Expansion and Equipment Acquisition 

In an effort to meet the demand and public need of farm-to-table needs, due to processing plants 

shutting down as a result of COVID-19, a meat processing plant in Hot Springs, AR was re-opened in July 

of 2020 under new ownership due to the high demand of public need. In order for us to continue 

humane handling of livestock and processing for human consumption, all while following the new CDC 

guidelines that were established due to COVID-19, an expansion to the facility and additional meat 
processing equipment was a critical need. Our initial project went over budget due COVID-19 inflation of 

material prices, so we weren’t able to finish acquiring what we needed to effectively function. Currently, 

we are a custom meat processing and have been working with professionals in the private and public 

sector for the last several months to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection. The approval of the Grant of 

Inspection will allow us to better serve the public and livestock producers. We are a business that needs 

to expand to meet consumer demand, increase sales, and serve our local livestock producers better. In 

order to meet these needs, an expansion of our existing facility, city water, and acquisition of equipment 

and supplies is important. We’d like to construct an additional building on site of our facility, purchase a 

bobcat skid-steer loader, purchase of a hydraulic meat stuffer, expand chute pens, expand areas for 

livestock, extend pens and cover of the livestock facility, obtain city water, and purchase of a 

refrigerator, walk-in cooler and labeling system for once we are under federal inspection. 

Recipient: 5R Custom Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

5R Custom Meats Inspection Readiness 

5R Custom Meats opened in April 2020 right as the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in the USA. The 

~6,000 sq. Ft. Plant was completed in April 2020 and is located in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas, a rural 

community of less than 200 people. 5R Custom meats joint venture between Robbie and Jennifer Raby 

of Mt. Vernon, Arkansas and Cypress Valley Meat Company. The 5R Custom Meats processing plant is a 

small multiple-species harvest and processing plant that provides custom-exempt fee-based meat 

processing services to livestock producers for sale to wholesale or retail customers. On average, we 

service 100 customers a month and over the past 12 months we have served 969 unique customers. We 

had initially thought of acquiring a federal grant of inspection for harvest and processing services. Now 

we still service an 8-to –12-month backlog; however, there is space for smaller customer lots to be 

worked in. 5R has been operating for almost 18 months and has weathered the typical start-up 

challenges that a new operation face. We are now ready to expand our services offering to customers 

requiring harvest and processing under USDA FSIS inspection. For 5R to achieve this next growth

milestone we required to invest in additional equipment that can help us both increase plant capacity 

and provide the cuts and value-added products to our customers demand under inspection.

Recipient: Central Arkansas Mobile Processing, LLC 

Award Amount: $188,989.00

Total Project Amount: $188,989.00

Central Arkansas Mobile Processing, LLC Operational Improvement Project to Modernize 

Processing and Manufacturing Equipment necessary to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection 

Central Arkansas Mobile Processing, LLC (CAMP) would like to improve its operation by adding a 

modernized processing and new manufacturing equipment to its workflow. This includes cutting 

equipment, mixers, grinders, sausage stuffers, pipes, motors, pumps, and valves. By offering a Mobile 

Slaughter solution to the state of Arkansas, CAMP has increased the availability of slaughter to smaller 

farms and ranches, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities. 

CAMP wants to extend their services to processing and packaging the meat as well. CAMP is currently 

building a new facility. This grant would award CAMP the opportunity to add processing and 
manufacturing equipment to their operation. This will improve the meat slaughter and processing 

capacity and efficiency. It will help CAMP develop new markets and expand existing markets. And, by 

enlarging the operation to processing CAMP will obtain a larger commercial presence, increase capacity, 

and better meet consumer and producer demand. Also, by working toward a Federal Grant of 

Inspection, CAMP will maintain a strong inspection and food safety standards.

California

Recipient: Bud’s Custom Meats, Inc.

Award Amount: $191,000

Total Project Amount: $191,000

Completion of final facility and labeling upgrades, and HACCPT compliance for Federal Grant of 

Inspection 

Bud’s Custom Meats, Inc is a small, family-owned custom meat processor and specialty meats retailer 

located in Penngrove, a small town adjacent to Petaluma in the north bay. We currently employee 17 

staff at a combined processing and retail facility comprising 5,8000 sq. ft. located on family-owned land.

Bud’s Custom Meats, In. is striving to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection to enhance the services we 

can offer to our local large and small livestock producers, helping them obtain USDA-grade product with 

improved and customized labeling in order to satisfy consumer demand in grocery stores, restaurants, 

farmers markets and retail meat storefronts in Sonoma County. Bud’s Custom Meat has completed 

numerous facilities upgrades during the past three years with the goal increasing processing capacity 

and efficiencies and order to quality for FGI. The proposed completion of final facility and labeling 

upgrades and HACCP Compliance for Federal Grant of Inspection project will help our company keep up 

with product demands from both our large customers and our small livestock producers allow us more 

fully exploit our improved processing capacities with a significant increase in processing volume, help us 

sustain our commercial viability, and provide additional training and employment opportunities for local 

workforce. To complete the process of obtaining USDA-grade processing capacity, Bud’s Custom Meats 

must purchase and install refrigeration for approximately 1,000 square feet of processing work space, 

purchase, install, and program upgraded weighing and labeling equipment, and complete HACCPT 

compliance measures and training. 

Recipient: Buckhorn Cafe Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Facility expansion for improved processing of value-add products 

The purpose of this project is to expand the operations of Buckhorn Cafe Inc dba Buckhorn Meat Co, 

while seeking a Federal Grant of Inspection. Our goals are to increase the production scale and improve 

production efficiency of signature value-added products. The project will enable a larger commercial 

presence in both retail and wholesale markets; in addition, supply products, internally, to all of our 

company outlets. Through the expansion of our facility, we’ll have the opportunity to increase the scale 

of proprietary items, therefore extending our customer reach beyond the proximity of our restaurants 

and funneling new revenue streams back to our local community. Obtaining a Federal Grant of 

Inspection will allow us to develop new value-added products by utilizing heat treatment methods and 
improved vacuum packaging, while upholding USDA food safety standards. We are seeking funding to 

supplement the costs of expanding our facility including 1) the construction of new processing rooms 

outfitted for appropriate time/temperature control, 2) the addition of industrial equipment to increase 

production scale, product diversity, and meet food safety requirements, 3) training for plant 

management and food safety, and 4) finally the implementation of HACCP plans and more efficient 

production processes. The expected outcomes of this project include: 1) increased revenue derived from 

the entry of new out-of-state markets, 2) newly developed products for food service and retail markets, 

3) the addition of new job roles, improved specialization of labor and reduced labor costs due to 

enhanced processing capacity and efficiency, and 4) enhanced food safety measures with USDA 

compliance.

Recipient: Hoang An Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to obtain a 

Federal Grant of Inspection 

Hoang An Inc. is a small meat processing facility that produces different kinds of meat products, 

including poultry, pork, beef, and fish of different cultures to sell around the United States. We are 

aiming to buy three new machines: a meat grinder, meat mixer 650D, and a double meat clipper. These 

machines will streamline manufacturing of our products as opposed to using manual labor. This means 

that the facility will be able to produce more products for a less amount of time and a less amount of 

work. The meat grinder will grind up meats at a more efficient rate, the meat mixer will facilitate mixing 

all ingredients together, and the double clipper will help in the production of sausage products. The 

expected outcomes of this project are, of course, acquiring the equipment, but also a 40% increase in 

production of goods, and more employees hired in order to operate the machines. Because we intend to 

sell our products across the United States, the projected large-scale outcome is a greater population of 

consumers throughout the country as well.

Colorado

Recipient: Wheatridge Poultry & Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Wheat Ridge Poultry & Meats Application for Inspection Readiness and Expansion of Slaughtering 

& Processing Facilities 

Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats, Inc seeks grant funds to obtain meat and poultry inspection and to 

expand our domestic livestock slaughter and processing capabilities. The recent global pandemic proved 

the need for additional slaughter and processing facilities to meet the needs of smaller farmers and 

ranchers. In the community we serve the average wait time to obtain a slaughter date in any plant is 18 

months. These timeframes leave little to no options for ranchers who may not be able to maintain their 

livestock for that time. The purpose of our application is to meet the needs of our local farmers and 

ranchers by expanding and modernizing our mobile slaughter unit and processing facility. We are 

familiar with the requirements of becoming a USDA Inspected facility as we have a former USDA 
Inspector on our staff and are in the process of obtaining USDA approval for our commissary kitchen 

housed at a different location. Our processing facility and equipment would require modernization to 

meet the requirements of the USDA for meat and poultry inspection. We also seek to expand our mobile 

slaughter unit to conform with the said requirements. We anticipate that with these funds with the 

allotted timeframe, we could have a positive long-term effect on our local agricultural community. 

Recipient: Elevation Meat Market LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to obtain a 

Federal Grant of Inspection 

Elevation Meat Market is a state-inspected meat processing facility in the rural community of Westcliffe, 

Colorado. We operate in a 2,600 sq. ft. facility with 1,800 sq. ft. dedicated to processing. We process 

specialty cuts and products for area consumers, restaurants, and bars. Because of our inspection status, 

we do not do extensive co-packing or further processing, despite abundant community need. Our region 

has a disproportionately sparse concentration of USDA-inspected facilities despite the heavy 

concentration of ranching and livestock farming that occurs here. To improve this situation, Elevation 

Meat Market will undertake a series of improvement projects to become USDA inspected for processing 

of beef and pork. We will make improvements to walls, mobile cold storage, and freezer units so they 

are compliant with FSIS standards. Then, we plan to upgrade our cooler compressor and evaporator. 

This will reduce energy costs by 10 percent and decrease carcass trim weight waste by 57,600 pounds 

during the grant period. Additionally, we seek new processing equipment that will be easier to clean in 

accordance with FSIS standards and increase our value-added product line offerings by 10 products. 

Altogether, we expect this grant to increase our capacity to 25 beef cattle and 10 pigs per week, which 

would equate to more than 2.36 million pounds of new processing capacity during the grant period 

alone. We also expect to increase our gross sales by 100 percent during the grant period and create 8 

new full-time jobs.

Recipient: Bountiful Ventures, LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Bountiful Ventures, LLC Federal Grant of Inspection Readiness- Harvest Floor and Output 

Efficiencies Expansion 

Bountiful Ventures, LLC dba Bountiful Meats & Processing is taking the necessary steps to offer USDA 

meat processing by obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection. In order to do this the plant will need to 

upsize the capabilities of their facility by constructing a new harvest floor as well as modernizing space, 

equipment, and supplies to meet the requirements to pass the inspection. This project is set to take 

place starting September 30, 2021 and will be completed before or by September 29th, 2024. As a 

result, we will be able to offer USDA processing to our rural communities and surrounding areas as well 

as to offer local Colorado meat at retail and wholesale.
Florida

Recipient: L&W Venison, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Revitalizing L&W Venison’s Infrastructure and Equipment to Reach USDA-Inspection 

L&W Venison is a very small meat processing facility that has operated in the rural community of 

Madison, Florida, for 18 years. Our slaughter and processing services are available for all livestock, 

including sheep, goats, beef cattle, and hogs. Annually, our facility and its 7 to 9 full-time employees 

slaughter and process more than 440,000 pounds of meat. In 2020, we worked 7 days a week and 

increased processing capacity by 800 percent, but we still fell short of our potential due to our lack of 

USDA inspection status. To obtain a Federal grant of inspection, we propose facility improvements to 

include adding an FSIS inspector office and improving our cooler box panels, knocking pens, and railing 

system to maintain rigorous compliance with FSIS expectations while simultaneously handling 

substantially more volume. We also propose to install a 7-ton cooler, hoist, and acquire a new splitting 

saw and balancer, which will ensure food temperature stability and make for easier equipment cleaning 

even at higher workloads. Finally, we propose to work with a HACCP records consultant to ensure our 

facility maintains superior safety procedures and is rigorously compliant with FSIS expectations. With a 

Federal grant of inspection, we look to double our annual sales and boost production to 1.2 million 

pounds of beef and pork per year, offer a new market for at least 200 additional livestock farmers, and 

create 7 new jobs in the poorest county in Florida

Recipient: Big Creek Farm, LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

To obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection so as to bring a new processing facility up to USDA 

standards with increase production capabilities 

Big Creek Farm, LLC is a livestock processing facility located on land that has been farmed since 1858 and 

passed through multiple generations. The majority owner of the business is Kasia Fortune who is the

Great-great-great granddaughter of Chief Ochinee of the Southern Cheyenne tribe and the great-great

granddaughter of Amache Ochinee Prowers. Amache was a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre, but 

her father was one of over two hundred men, women and children killed by members of the Colorado 

Militia. The husband-and-wife owners began nine years ago working at a friend’s USDA certified 

processing plant in Georgia. After evaluating the time and cost of traveling out-of-state monthly to 

produce their products, the decision was made to construct their own processing plant. They have built 

a four thousand five hundred square foot box in a box facility. 

In 2018, they began working toward USDA inspection approval by securing a temporary USDA number 

(M47001) in hopes of receiving feedback from the agency expediting approval.

The Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant will be used to design and build an asphalt or concrete

parking lot and dedicated office space for a USDA inspector to use while on-sight as required by the 

USDA. The business will upgrade their Alkar smoke house, upgrade a Juno processor to a modern micro-
processor, upgrade to a double-chamber vacuum sealer, upgrade the refrigeration systems, purchase a 

bone crusher to reduce facility waste by making bone meal that can be sold to gardeners and nurseries.

Recipient: Pastured Life Farm LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Inspection Readiness at Pastured Life Farm to Fill a Critical Southeast US Poultry Processing Void 

Pastured Life Farm is an innovative farm in O’Brien, an unincorporated food desert town in Northern

Florida. We slaughter, process, and locally sell pasture- and humanely-raised poultry and meat products. 

In 2020, we grew and processed 18,000 birds, equaling 144,000 pounds of meat. Pastured Life Farm’s 

growth is handicapped by the 20,000-bird limit implemented under exemption PL-90-492.

Independent growers in the Southeast face a critical lack of USDA inspected facilities, with the nearest 

one +400 miles from most independent poultry producers. To address this, our projects will catalyze our 

transition to USDA inspected status and provide an on-ramp to processing for at least 250 non-contract

poultry farmers in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. First, we will enclose our slaughter area to comply 

with USDA requirements. We will transition away from chlorine baths and implement an air chiller 

system, which will improve food safety, increase processing capacity by an estimated 1,000 birds per 

year, and reduce water consumption by 30,000 gallons during the grant period. Additionally, a new 

freezer system, processing upgrades, and transportation resources will stabilize food temperatures and 

improve humane handling. Altogether, we expect these projects to increase our sales by 25 percent 

each year 2021 through 2023, then in 2024 we expect processing and production capacity to equalize 

and allow a 50 percent increase. This would translate into approximately $872,395 in increased sales 

during the grant period, the creation of 5 new jobs, and ~200,000 pounds of new meat processing 

capacity.

Recipient: Bay Lake Farms LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Bay Lake Farms, Project for Federal Grant of Inspection 

The Bay Lake Farms family has been in the alligator business in Florida for over 25 years, which includes 

managing the adult alligator population on privately owned land throughout Florida, alligator egg 

collection and farm raising alligators with little to no waste processing/production facility. More 

recently we began a cattle/calf operation where our animals are allowed to roam and graze freely. We 

take pride in our farming practices that focus on humane animal husbandry. Our goal is to expand our 

current market by transitioning into a state of the art, vertically integrated cattle abattoir the produces

top quality custom beef and obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection.
Idaho

Recipient: Mountain View Custom Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Modernizing Equipment at Mountain View Custom Meats to Reach Federal Inspection Readiness 

Mountain View Custom Meats is a custom-exempt meat slaughter and processing facility in Coeur 

d'Alene, Idaho. We offer retail products on-site and also have a small farmers market location. Coeur 

d’Alene is a hub for tourism and is within an hour of the Washington border. Our facility needs 

substantial upgrades before seeking a Federal grant of inspection, but if we obtain one, we will be the 

only USDA processing plant within 70 miles for semi-ready and ready-to-eat products. We propose 

modernizing our facility’s equipment to match FSIS expectations and meet our forecasted production 

increase of 1,239,375 pounds over our current capacity during the grant period. We propose a new 

smokehouse to adhere to FSIS protocol on separating products and to simultaneously increase our 

capacity by 50 percent annually. We also plan to add a rollstock machine, which will help isolate 

products from one another, per FSIS requirements, and contribute to increased sales by $487,500 

annually. Finally, we plan to add an auto-brine injector that will scale up our processing capacity, reduce 

brine waste, and increase FSIS food safety compliance. Altogether, we expect this series of projects to 

create 7 new jobs and contribute $2,925,000 to the local food and agriculture economy during the grant 

period. We also expect to increase our meat processing capacity by 1,500 beef cattle, 1,200 hogs, and 

150 sheep/goats more than we otherwise would without this project during the grant period.

Recipient: Anderson’s Custom Meats LLC

Award Amount: $199,600

Total Project Amount: $199,600

Anderson’s Custom Meats equipment and facility improvements to obtain a grant of inspection 

from USDA 

This project is intended to upgrade our existing facility such that it will meet the standards for USDA 

certification. Our current facility has older processing equipment that would not meet the current USDA 

standard. We need to replace the current equipment with new more sanitary and efficient machines. 

Our holding facilities are also not up to USDA standard and will have to be replaced. We will also be 

developing a food safety plan including, HACCP analysis, Food safety program, all applicable GFSI 

standards for meat processing. This will require the assistance of a trained and capable food safety 

consultant. We have several local ranchers as well as a local retailer that would love to start producing 

their own USDA inspected beef for sale to our local community. Our area does not have any USDA 

inspected facilities so this would be a great benefit to our community.

Illinois

Recipient: Arrow Farm Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000
Revitalizing Workplace Safety at Arrow Farm Meats to Reach USDA-FSIS Inspection Status 

Arrow Farm Meats is a very small, family-owned 1600 sq. ft. meat processing facility located in the rural

community of Rock City, Illinois. We are a state-inspected processing facility that offers all fresh and 

frozen cuts of beef and pork in addition to value-added products. We contract with a USDA-inspected

facility for our slaughter needs and handle all further processing in-house. While we are proud of what 

we have been able to accomplish in little time, serving more than 600 families in our area, our lack of a 

Federal grant of inspection is prohibiting our business from expanding into nearby Wisconsin and Iowa. 

To receive USDA-FSIS approval, our facility is lacking FSIS inspector office space and sanitation stations 

for employees transitioning between work areas. To improve our food safety and prevent temperature 

swings and humidity as we increase our volume, we also propose the addition of a walk-in freezer and 

back-up generator. Lastly, our proposal includes a label/scale machine with a HACCP printer, and 

vacuum stuffer to ensure that our products are strictly compliant with FSIS guidance on uniformity, 

quality, and cross contamination avoidance.

Taken together, these projects will double our cold storage area and triple our packaging capabilities. 

We expect to process an additional 7 beef cattle per week and 2 hogs per month and increase our retail 

sales footprint in two states. With this growth, we also project creating 3 jobs, $540,000 in new sales, 

and a new market for processing that will benefit approximately 100 farmers.

Indiana

Recipient: Ohio Valley Meat Processing LLC

Award Amount: $198,876.39

Total Project Amount: $198,876.39

Project Title: Ohio Valley Meat Processing Plant Renovation 

The purpose of the upgrades to the former Pates Processing, now Ohio Valley Meat Processing will 

make required improvements as recommended by the assigned Indiana State Inspector Brandon Wright 

site visit on July 20, 2021. Physical upgrades enable the facility to proceed in meeting requirements to 

obtain a Federal GOI.

Recipient: John’s Butcher Shop Inc. 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Conversion and expansion of John’s Butcher Shop’s Wakarusa facility from state to CIS Inspection 

The purpose of this project is to obtain CIS inspection, increase production capacity and increase the 

facility size. In order to increase production and efficiency, more equipment will need to be purchased 

as well as adding freezer and cooler space. A dedicated HACCP coordinator will need to be in place to 

ensure food safety and guidelines are being followed. Doing this will allow us to increase much needed 

capacity for current products, expand and distribution channels dramatically, as well as obtain more 

private label customers. 
Recipient: Hoosier Growers, LLC

Award Amount: $197,739

Total Project Amount: $197,739

Facility Upgrades and HACCP Plan Development to Obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection 

Hoosier Growers, LLC is a small, multi-species Halal-certified slaughter and processing facility in northcentral Indiana working to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection. They provide slaughter and minimal 

processing services under custom exempt status only to private individuals that bring in their own 

animals for private consumption after processing. They currently process approximately four head of 

cattle and ten sheep/goats per week, but are missing some equipment necessary to slaughter hogs. 

They’re applying for MPIR funds to make equipment and facility upgrades and to develop Hazard 

Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) 

necessary to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection so that they can (1) process animals under inspection 

to sell meat across Indiana and across state lines, (2) process animals for others in need of inspected 

processing to serve their customer bases, and (3) process the animals of other local producers to be sold 

to the public at farmer’s markets, farm- based markets, and to wholesale customers. With the proposed 

investments, their current 9,400 square- foot facility could reach a capacity, based on available hanging 

space, of 25 head of cattle or 40 head of hogs or 60 head of sheep/goats per week. An MPIR grant would 

not only help pay for the equipment, sanitation plans, and facility upgrades necessary to obtain a 

Federal Grant of Inspection for the applicant, but it would strengthen the Indiana food supply chain and 

increase the supply of locally produced meat products across the state and region. The benefits of this 

project would impact not only Hoosier Growers, LLC, but many local Indiana producers, processors, food 

businesses, and consumers.

Recipient: 4 Bar M Inc

Award Amount: $154,748.49

Total Project Amount: $154,748.49

4 Bar M Inc 

4 Bar M Inc seeks to make improvements for the purpose of being USDA inspection ready, to better 

facilitate and make efficient the processing of livestock as well as increase the number of animals 

processed by 60+0/6 or better annually. Our plan is to add much needed equipment such as a walk-in 

freezer, vacuum sealer, o faster hoist, grinder, slicer and saws, expand our holding pens, make office

space for the inspector, upgrade our hot water system and some repairs to the existing freezers and 

coolers are also slated. We will be purchasing and installing a small portable building for expanded office 

space for the President so that we can give the existing office to the USDA inspector for privacy. Our 

employees will also undergo HACCP training during nonbusiness hours We estimate the repairs, 

improvements and training to begin October 1, 2021 and end around May 1, 2022.
Recipient: Wabash Clay Custom Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Wabash Clay Custom Meats Facility CIS Inspection Expansion Project 

Wabash Clay Custom Meats is a small livestock slaughter and processing facility that provides custom 

meat processing services to livestock producers and hunters and also offers retail products for 

customers. By completing a CIS inspection, we will be able to expand our geographic region for 

processing and sales. This will result in an increase in capacity and revenue, which will provide valuable 

economic benefits for both our plant and the surrounding community. In order to meet CIS 

requirements, we must purchase several pieces of equipment, including: four (4) new coolers and 

freezers with necessary accessories and installation, one (1) new air-cooled condensing unit, one (1) 7.5 

horsepower medium temp system with electric defrost, 15 horsepower medium temp system, two (2) 

new 30 horsepower temp systems. This equipment is necessary for CIS inspection as official and 

unofficial establishments must keep custom exempt operations separate and apart from any CIS 

inspected operations (per 9 CFR 303.1(a)(2)(ii) code). Further, our expansion will expand our processing 

capacity, which will require us to make changes to comply with Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, 

Animals and Animal Products. Without these additional coolers and freezer, our operations would not 

pass CIS inspection.

Recipient: Oliver’s Butcher Shop

Award Amount: $192,446.03

Total Project Amount: $192,446.03

Oliver’s Butcher Shop Facility and Retail Expansion Project to increase capacity and revenue 

Oliver’s Butcher Shop is a small livestock slaughter and processing facility that provides custom and 

retail meat processing services to livestock producers and customers. By completing a CIS inspection, we 

will be able to expand our geographic region for processing and sales. This will result in an increase in 

capacity and revenue, which will provide valuable economic benefits for both our plant and the 

surrounding community. In order to meet CIS requirements, we will make improvements to both our 

facility and our equipment. We will be making facility including raising our kill floor, adding an inspector, 

office, adding dry storage, and an employee break room. The following equipment will be purchased: 

15’x9’ cooler, patty machine, and a 45kW generator. We will be purchasing a variety of supplies to help 

with the expansion including livestock gates, scale, injector unit chain hoist, and other items detailed in 

this narrative. All of these items are necessary for CIS inspection as official and unofficial establishments 

must keep custom exempt operations separate and apart from the CIS inspected operations (per 9 CFR 

303.1(a)(2)(B)code). Further, our expansion will expand our processing capacity, which will require us to 

make changes to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 9, Animals and Animal Products. 

Without these additional coolers and freezer, our operations would not pass CIS inspection.
Iowa

Recipient: Premium White Meat, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Revitalizing Workplace Safety at Premium White Meat LLC to Reach USDA Inspection Readiness 

Premium White Meat is a multi-species, very small slaughter and processing plant located in the rural 

community of Bloomfield, Iowa. We operate a 4,000 sq. ft. facility and offer custom-exempt slaughter 

and processing services. Year-over-year, we have increased processing capacity by 50 percent and have 

ambitious growth plans in the years ahead with the help of a Federal Grant of Inspection.

However, our current facility lacks the appropriate infrastructure and equipment to meet FSIS 

requirements. This project proposes replacing our non-FSIS compliant cooler and freezer with a new 

space that will add 458 sq. ft. to our cold storage and contribute to a forecasted production increase of 

374,400 pounds of beef and pork per year. Through this proposal, we also aim to develop our HACCP 

plan, complete safety training, and see our product labels through the FSIS approval process. To ensure 

humane, FSIS-compliant handling, we also propose adding new knocking pens that will allow for double 

the animal throughput. To improve food safety and processing capacity needed from additional 

slaughter, we will upgrade our grinder and stuffer, which we project will reduce processing time by 25 

percent and reduce product waste by as much as 14,040 pounds during the grant period.

We expect this project to generate at least $3 million in economic activity during the grant period. This 

project will also result in 6 new jobs, a new market for 250 unique farmers, and will expand our sales 

footprint to 4 new states.

Recipient: Yetter Locker Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Project Title: Upgrading Facilities at Yetter Locker to Promote CIS-Inspection Readiness 

Yetter Locker Inc. is a family-owned, very-small slaughter and meat processing facility in the rural 

community of Auburn, Iowa. Our custom exempt facility processes animals for more than 500 unique 

farmers each year. Our retail store on-site is the only source of fresh food within 30 miles. We make our 

own value-added products and offer every traditional fresh cut for custom or retail buyers. We are 

looking to grow our market in four nearby states through the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program 

but currently lack the appropriate environmental waste management, holding pen, and HACCP training 

resources to be accepted into the program. To address this and grow our capacity, we first propose 

installing a slurry tank to replace our septic system that is currently jeopardizing our sewer license. Next, 

we propose adding a new holding pen that is FSIS compliant and can ensure humane handling while we 

simultaneously increase our throughput. Finally, we propose completing required HACCP training and 

planning with this project to ensure FSIS compliance as we transition into the CIS program. 

Altogether, we expect these projects will increase our annual sales by $260,000. We also project that 

this program will let us create 3 new jobs and save 2,190 pounds of meat waste during the grant period. 
With environmental clearance from the slurry tank and modern equipment, we will also expand our 

processing capacity by 1,058,400 pounds more than we could without these efforts.

Recipient: Weaver Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Upgrading Facilities and Equipment at Weaver Meats to Drive CIS-Inspection Readiness 

Weaver Meats is a family-owned slaughter and processing plant in Afton, Iowa. We are the only state 

inspected locker within 65 miles and there is no USDA locker for approximately 100 miles. We sell retail 

products and maintain small wholesale accounts. Our facility aims to grow sales by $3 million during this 

grant period thanks to equipment and facility upgrades that will help us be a participant in the 

Cooperative Interstate Shipment program. However, to meet CIS requirements, our facility requires 

equipment and facility upgrades currently beyond our reach. With this grant, we first propose to add a 

1,000 sq. ft. attachment to our slaughter floor to maintain humane handling and slaughter at a higher 

throughput. To meet FSIS standards on workplace and food safety and to improve our efficiency, we will 

also add a second skinning station and additional inedible cooler space to handle the increase in animals 

and inedible waste. We expect this addition in combination with a modern, food safe grinder and 

expanded 180 sq. ft. cooked meats cooler to increase our output from 18 to 30 beef cattle per week and 

16 to 30 hogs per week, which would give a new market access point to about 200 farmers. Aside from 

growing our throughput capacity, this cooler will help us meet FSIS requirements on separation of 

products. This increase in output would also allow us to create 8 jobs thanks to around a 90 to 100 

percent increase in our wholesale and retail sales. 

Recipient: Edgewood Locker Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Edgewood Locker Expansion Project and USDA Transition 

The Edgewood Locker will invest $7.6M on a 19,000 sq ft. expansion of the current facility. 

Approximately $1M will be spent on new state of the art equipment. The expansion will allow our 

business to grow in the following ways: We are pushing more Inspected product through than it was 

designed for. Work areas are congested. This expansion will allow us to do the work that we’re already 

doing better, more efficiently, and with a better and safer working environment for employees. 

Growth of our wholesale business. We are planning to double the volume of wholesale business we 

currently do. Today we are not in any major grocery store or convenience store chains. In the future we 

look to provide wholesale product to those larger chains, especially in the larger metro markets where 

currently have voids. The Edgewood Locker will transition to USDA inspection from State Inspection 

around the same time we move into the new plant. USDA inspection will be critical as we look to reach 

customers across state lines. Food Safety. In the new facility we will achieve perfect separation of raw 

and cooked product processing areas. Pass-through smokehouses will be one key factor to enable this. A 

focus on food safety will be built into every blueprint, material purchase, and equipment purchase. 

Custom Processing Capacity: This expansion project will allow us to increase the number of hogs we can 

process, thus allowing us to provide new markets for livestock producers and shorten lead times for 

slaughter appointments
Recipient: Slaughter House Meats LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Revitalizing Infrastructure at The Slaughter House to Reach CIS-Inspection Readiness and Improve 

Rural Food Access 

The Slaughter House Meat LLC is a very small slaughter and meat processing plant in the rural 

community of Melbourne, Iowa — more than 2 hours from another CIS or Federal facility. We operate a 

3,500 sq. ft. facility for processing and rent a slaughter space at a separate site several miles away. Each 

year, we work with 150 unique farmers from a 60+ mile radius. We offer retail products at our store in 

Melbourne, which is the only source of fresh food within 30 miles. Our services are booked out into 

February of 2022 or later. We want to become a Cooperative Interstate Shipment facility, but currently 

our facility is not suitable for FSIS expectations. To fix this and take advantage of sales opportunities in 

Minnesota and Nebraska, we propose adding a 2450 sq. ft. expansion to the shop we own to 

accommodate our operation under one roof. We also propose adding cold storage capacity, a splitting 

saw, patty former, and a brine pump to ensure our storage and processing operation is FSIS compliant 

with temperature and sanitary requirements. Altogether, we expect this project to expand our harvest 

and processing capacity by 1,080,000 new pounds during the grant period. We also expect to create 6 

new jobs and grow sales by $3,312,000 during the grant period

Recipient: Clarion Locker

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Upgrading Equipment at Clarion Locker to Reach CIS Status and Encourage Meat Industry 

Diversity 

Clarion Locker is owned and operated by first-generation South African immigrants. We operate a 8,600

sq. ft. slaughter and processing facility that we plan to make enlist in the Cooperative Interstate 

Shipment program. We offer state-inspected and custom-processing services. Our project is a series of 

improvements that will help us become an FSIS inspection-ready team and facility while also boosting 

our capacity to harvest and process.

FSIS readiness involves replacing our 50-year-old smokehouse with a new model. This will help uphold 

FSIS temperature requirements through digitally logged temperatures and increased reliability. It will 

also smoke 800 pounds in half the time our existing unit takes to smoke 400 pounds.

To optimize labor productivity, we will also acquire an automatic-brine injector for hams that will reduce 

brine waste by 100 percent and increase capacity by – 21,600 hams during the grant period.

The addition of two refrigerated rooms will boost Clarion Locker’s capacity to maintain FSIS temperature 

compliance as we strive to double our throughput. The refrigerated rooms decrease trim weight waste

by up to 34,560 pounds during the grant period.
Recipient: Mingo Locker, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Mingo Locker, LLC 2021 MPIRG Compliance Project 

In our effort is to sustain the viability of the Mingo Locker in the short-term and grow the business in the 

future, building expansion and equipment upgrades are paramount to meeting customer demands and 

a secure CIS compliance.

Building Expansion

Expanding the building would support four main goals:

1) Increase storage space to support growing our vending capacity and offer the square footage for 

efficient, decluttered and consistent storage of our product.

2) Relocate office space

3) Create dedicated employee break area

4) Double the size of our lobby/retail area allowing for more vending capacity and offering more 

flexibility when condition dictate social distancing.

Equipment Upgrades

Upgrading equipment will achieve the following goals:

1) Combat condensation occurrence in freezer and carcass coolers, which is essential for CIS 

compliance

2) Minimize down time due to equipment malfunctions, allowing for establishments to appropriate 

funds to further improvements, upgrades, and human resources, which would otherwise be 

spent on excessive upkeep due to age of refrigeration

3) Energy conservation

4) Use refrigeration that are less harmful for the environment

5) Increase both safety to workers and efficiency for upgrades to equipment in harvesting areas

Recipient: Ruthven Meat Processing Inc.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Improving Processing, Storage, and Smoked Product Resources at Ruthven Meats to Help Earn 

CIS Status 

Ruthven Meat Processing is a multi-species, very small slaughter and processing plant located in the 

rural community of Ruthven, Iowa. As a family-owned business, we operated a 6,422 sq. ft. facility with 

12 full-time and 6 part-time employees split between our two locations. We offer state-inspected 

slaughter and processing services for ~1,040 unique farmers each year. We process value-added 

products like smoked jerky and sticks, bacon, ham and brats. While year-over-year we have increased

processing capacity by ~15 percent, or facility is lacking key modernization projects necessary to help us 

achieve the Cooperative Interstate Shipment status we need to expand any further and comply with FSIS 

protocols.
In this project, we propose adding modernized smokehouse to ensure food safety even as we increase 

our production. We also propose the addition of “Ready to Eat” cooler system to comply with FSIS 

requirements on product separation. Finally, we include here a new building expansion necessary to 

ensure our environmental and safe handling compliance as we scale up harvest and processing 

operations.

Altogether, we estimate that the project will generate $1,032,000 million in new sales and help us 

create 3 jobs. With these improvements, we estimate an increase in our production capacity of 

1,073,280 total pounds during the grant period.

Recipient: In’t Veld’s Meat Market

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Federal Inspection Planning and Implementation for In’t Veld’s Ent. Inc. 

In’t Veld’s Ent., Inc. is seeking to expand from a State of Iowa inspected facility to a federally inspected 

meat processing plan. In’t Veld’s has a long tradition of providing quality meats and services since 1941. 

We are proud to offer artisan meats not offered by the larger meat packers with the recipes and 

craftsmanship dating back to the 1800’s in the Netherlands. For In’t Veld’s to accomplish our expansion 

goals, we need to increase our overall productivity as well as our efficiency in production, shipping, 

online sales and distribution of our products. Grant monies will be used to purchase the equipment, 

establish markets for our products as well as provide capabilities to distribute our product to 

warehouses for further nationwide distribution.

Since the purchase of the business, Jerry and Shaughn Roorda have continued to modernize and update 

equipment in the current facility. The floor plan has been reconfigured to allow for improved traffic 

flow. Additionally, we have purchased a new mixing, grinding, and stuffing systems, updated and 

expanded cold storage, completed energy efficiency updates to the facility. A new computerized smoke 

house was installed increased accuracy in tracking food safety, increased our product capacity and 

decreased our labor hours while providing traceability to the consumer. This grant will help continue the 

modernization of our equipment and efficiently supply our artisan product nationwide. 

Recipient: Moravia Meat Locker

Award Amount: $183,575

Total Project Amount: $183,575

Upgrading Infrastructure and Equipment at Moravia Meat Locker to Reach CIS-Inspection 

Readiness 

Moravia Meat Locker is a family-owned very-small slaughter and meat processing facility in the rural 

community of Moravia, Iowa. We offer retail sales and custom slaughter and processing. Custom 

processing accounts for 90 percent of our annual revenues, although the 10 percent of our on-site retail 

sales are crucial, as we are the only source of fresh food within 20 miles. We want to participate in the 

Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, but lack the financing to invest in necessary improvements to 

meet FSIS standards. 
To meet these standards, we first propose upgrading our cooler and freezer areas to add additional 

space and improve carcass hanging capacity, temperature stability, and efficiency. We project this will 

increase our storage by 75 percent annually. We also propose expanding our retail area to free up space 

for processing and packaging, which will contribute to our $450,000 annual sales growth goal and 

ensure better separation between cooked and raw products pursuant to FSIS protocol. We also propose 

adding a new smokehouse and inventory system that will increase our processing capacity by 50 

percent, increase the variety of products we offer, and boost food safety and FSIS compliance by 

digitally logging temperatures and ensuring uniform heating and automatic cooling.

Altogether, we expect these efforts and the CIS program to generate $6 million in economic activity and 

create 5 new jobs during the grant period. We also expect to source meat from an additional 125 

farmers and grow our retail sales by 50 percent per year.

Recipient: Dayton Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Improving Infrastructure at Dayton Meat to Reach CIS-Inspection Readiness 

Dayton Meat Products is a slaughter and processing facility in Malcolm, Iowa. In 2020, we processed

approximately 750,000 pounds of meat. We offer official and custom slaughter and products for 

wholesale and retail. Our storefront with fresh and processed meat is the only food source for 20+ 

miles. We look to grow our harvest, processing, and interstate shipping through the CIS program. Our 

facility is currently inadequate for FSIS standards. To meet FSIS standards for CIS, we propose first fixing 

the roof of our facility because with precipitation, it leaks and causes water damage. We also propose 

adding a new cooling system for the processing room to comply with FSIS temperature

protocols and equip our facility to handle an additional 420,0000 pounds of meat during the grant 

period. An addition of 162 sq. ft. of cooler and freezer space will also help solve our storage 

bottleneck and allow us to increase volume by 40 percent.

To comply with FSIS standards and handle our increased volume, we also propose adding a new clipper 

and grinding system, which we estimate will save 9,360-man hours and increase processing capacity 

by 900,000 pounds during the grant period. To track food safety and capacity in compliance with 

FSIS expectations, we also will acquire new operations software.

Altogether through this program, we will grow our sales by $1.68 million during the grant period 

and expand sales into 5 states. We plan to create 4 new jobs and source meat from 15 new farmers.
Recipient: RC Nikkel LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Modernizing Equipment and Infrastructure at RC Nikkel LLC to Reach CIS-Inspection Status 

RC Nikkel is a very small, multi-species slaughter and processing plant in the rural community of 

Sully, Iowa. In 2020, we processed approximately 660,400 pounds of meat sourced from 520 unique 

farmers from as far as 75 miles away. We offer custom processing and sell value-added retail products 

on site. We have potential to grow into a substantial interstate shipping operation through the CIS 

program, but our facility currently lacks the appropriate modern equipment, freezer space, and 

processing room design to meet FSIS requirements. To fix this and boost our capacity, we propose 

adding a 480 sq. ft. addition for processing to allow for the separation of products per FSIS requirements 

and to increase our throughput capacity by more than 2,000,000 pounds during the grant period. To 

ensure we can comply with food safety regulations at a higher volume, we propose adding a new 

mixer/grinder, vacuum sealer, and band saw that will decrease processing time by about 50 percent and 

help us generate $1.65 million in new sales during the grant period and create at least 3 new jobs. 

Finally, we propose adding 200 sq. ft. of new freezer space and a freezer unit to ensure that even as we 

operate at a larger scale, we can maintain FSIS food safety standards and temperature compliance.

Recipient: Thoma Enterprises Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Revitalizing Equipment at Thoma Enterprises to Reach CIS-Inspection Readiness 

Thoma Enterprises Inc. is a family-owned, very small slaughter and meat processing operation in the 

Rural community of Durant, Iowa. We operate a 3,500 sq. ft. state-inspected facility, process 

approximately 538,000 pounds of meat annually, and source from about 500 unique farmers and 

ranchers. We aim to participate in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program to grow sales in Illinois, 

Wisconsin, and Minnesota. However, our facility operates on older equipment that is not compatible 

with FSIS standards. To fix this problem and seize new opportunities, we will invest in a modern vacuum 

stuffer and twister linker machine that will be easily sanitized, decrease food waste by up to 10 percent, 

and reduce processing time by 25 percent. Our proposed addition of a new meat grinder will also move 

us toward inspection readiness by reducing food touchpoints, improving food safety, and reducing the 

maximum temperature meat reaches during processing. This addition will save 7,200-man hours of 

labor and increase processing capacity by 125 percent during the grant period. The grinder will also save 

4,680 pounds of food waste lost during grinding over the grant period.

The final addition of a new packaging and labeling system with a scale will improve our FSIS uniform 

labeling compliance and reduce the labor intensity of packaging by 75 percent. Altogether, we expect to 

become CIS ready, create 3 new jobs, grow our sales 150 percent, and process an additional 

750,000pounds of meat during the grant period with this award.
Recipient: Winthrop Locker LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Upgrading Facilities and Equipment at Winthrop Locker to Promote CIS-Inspection Readiness 

Winthrop Locker is a very small, state-inspected slaughter and meat processing plant in the rural city of 

Winthrop, Iowa. Since 2008 when we began operations, we have processed about 5,000,000 pounds of 

meat. We source animals from over 600 unique farmers each year. We offer custom and retail slaughter 

and processing and many of our clients resell products at their own businesses. Our goal is to participate 

in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, but our facility currently lacks appropriate facilities, 

labeling, and packaging equipment to meet FSIS expectations.

To fix this, we first propose a 600 sq. ft. addition to our facility that will have temperature control 

capabilities below 40 degrees to allow us to comply with FSIS protocols on the separation of cooked and 

uncooked products. This expansion will also make our 4,200 sq. ft. facility more efficient and create 

space for more employee handwashing stations between worksites to comply with FSIS rules. Finally, to 

ensure we can maintain strict compliance with FSIS guidelines while operating at a larger scale, we 

propose adding a roll stock packaging machine to reduce packaging labor effort by 75 percent and 

increase wrapping and labeling by 500 percent. Altogether, we expect to create 3 new jobs and grow 

capacity by 900,000 pounds during the grant period. We also expect to branch out into new interstate 

markets in Minnesota and Illinois upon receiving CIS approval. We also expect to create a new market 

opportunity for at least 200 unique farmers

Recipient: Zeb’s Smoke House LTD

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Zeb’s Smokehouse Market Expansion and Cooperative Interstate Shipping Compliance Program 

Zeb’s Smokehouse is respectfully requesting funding in the amount of $200,000 to support its 

Cooperative Interstate Shipping (CIS) Compliance project. Zeb’s Smokehouse has developed a reputation 

for producing high-quality meats in a clean and professional establishment, with three branches, custom 

livestock processing, wild game processing, and official retail meat processing. Since 2006, Zeb’s 

Smokehouse has been growing and the current demand for production has outweighed processing 

capabilities. The facility is in need of more efficient equipment. Increasing efficiency would allow for 

increased production, better service to customers, and further growth in the business. In addition, Iowa 

currently participates in the CIS program. Living 10 miles from Missouri, the CIS program holds great 

potential for Zeb’s Smokehouse by increasing commercial presence across state borders. New

equipment and increased efficiency would allow for capacity to participate in the CIS program and 

extend the market. With this grant, the Smokehouse would purchase new equipment to improve 

efficiency and capacity while giving customers modern and improved packaging. The steps to becoming 

a part of the CIS program would also be completed, followed by expanding outside sales markets. 

Participation in the CIS program would allow the Smokehouse to obtain a more significant commercial 

presence allowing it to shift the majority of business from wild game processing to official sales 

processing. The Smokehouse expects to have new equipment in place and be participating in the CIS 

Program with an increase in official meat production and sales of 80 percent by May 1, 2023. 
Recipient: Corning Meat Processing Service Inc. 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Revitalizing Infrastructure and Equipment at Corning Meat Processing to Reach CIS-Inspection 

Readiness 

Corning Meat Processing Services is a very small slaughter and processing facility in the rural city of 

Corning, Iowa. We aim to become a Cooperative Interstate Shipment facility to pursue market 

opportunities in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, but we lack the critical facility improvements and 

equipment to meet FSIS standards. 

To become a CIS facility, we propose to install pipes, wiring, and insulation to make our freezer space 

FSIS-ready. Our current freezer is barely operational and requires us to transfer meat between units. 

Upgrading our freezer will improve FSIS compliance by reducing food touchpoints/transfers, increasing 

product quality, and boosting operational efficiency by 20 percent annually. 

Our current smokehouse is a major revenue generator, accounting for at least 40 percent of our current 

revenue. We aim to seize opportunities to grow smoked product sales by $100,000 in surrounding 

states, but our current smokehouse was built in 1987 and would not meet FSIS requirements. We 

propose installing a new, FSIS-compliant smokehouse that will increase capacity by 216,000 pounds of 

meat over the grant period.

At 400 slices/minute, the proposed new slicer would also quadruple our current capacity. The machine 

will also be easier to clean, which will increase our food safety, ensure rigorous FSIS compliance, and 

reduce staff cleaning hours by 180 hours over the grant period. Altogether, this project will create 2 new 

jobs and allow us to harvest and process 3,204,000 portions of protein for consumption across the 

Midwest during the grant period.

Recipient: County Meats, Inc. 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Modernizing Equipment and Infrastructure at Country Meats Inc. to Reach CIS Status 

Country Meats Inc. is a state-inspected, family-owned meat slaughter and processing plant in the rural 

community of Arcadia, Iowa. We look to become a Cooperative Interstate Shipment facility. We offer 

slaughter and processing of custom, retail, official cooking, and wholesale products. We process about 

950,000 pounds for custom services and 325,000 pounds per year of state official inspected products, 

which are sourced from ~850 unique farmers. While we have potential to positively impact the 

Midwestern food supply, we need to make key improvements to join the CIS program. We propose 

remodeling our freezer to expand storage capacity by 20 percent and improve food temperature 

stability. We also will make upgrades to expand our slaughter room, which will help us maintain FSIS 

compliance, while doubling our slaughter capacity to 34 beef cattle and 16 hogs weekly. We also intend 

to rebuild our processing room with increased space and FSIS compliant materials and design to ensure 

we can meet standards and increase processing volume by 1.2 million pounds during the grant period. 

To ensure we are able to maintain FSIS compliant slaughter and processing during regular utility 

interruptions, we will invest in a water tower that will increase our processing capacity by 672 man 
hours during the grant period. Finally, we will hire a meat processing consultant to counsel our facility 

on FSIS compliance and plan development. We expect to generate $4.5 million in new sales during the 

grant period and create 6 new jobs.

Recipient: Bordenaro’s Meat Market, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Slaughter & Meat/Food Shipping Facility 

Bordernaro’s Meat Market is constructing a Slaughter & Meat/Food Shipping facility. We have 

purchased the land and have secured financing to construct a building to house our slaughter &

meat/food shipping facility in Carroll County, Iowa. We are seeking federal grants funds to purchase the 

equipment to operate our slaughter & meat/food slaughter facility. The purpose of our facility is to be 

able to slaughter our own farm to table livestock as well as surrounding counties livestock for wholesale 

& retail customer use. This facility will also be used to ship meat/food products to existing & new 

customer inside & outside the state of Iowa. We expect to be very busy once our facility is open as 

slaughter facilities in our area are overly booked and have been for over a year. Our facility will provide

a much-needed service to our county and state. 

Kansas

Recipient: Burkhart Meat Processing, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Burkhart Meat Processing Expansion Project 

The Burkhart Meat Processing LLC Expansion Project is a $715,000 endeavor which will expand an 

existing slaughter/processing facility in Kinsley, Kansas to more than double the current capacity as well 

as obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection.

Recipient: Alta Vista Locker, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Alta Vista Meat Co support utilities modernization and slaughtering process upgrades 

Alta Vista Meat Co. operates a building originally built in the 1960s with numerous improvements and 

expansions completed thereafter. However, lack of a holistic approach has resulted in disjointed 

additions causing a maze of building sections and an equally confusing interconnect between electrical 

panels, water service, and other supporting utilities. Our project addresses 2 main areas: Modernize 

supporting utilities and improving the safety and speed of the slaughter process. Modernize supporting 

utilities: Working with Evergy, electrical will be re-fed with higher capacity distribution system routed to 

a centralized mechanical space. Subsequent electrical systems in violation of electrical codes will be 

brought back into compliance. Adding this capacity and updating these electrical components will keep 
our existing operations safe and reliable as well as allowing us to expand our processes by adding 

electrical equipment and infrastructure. We will also work with the city to increase the size of water 

service entering the facility. Subsequent water lines branching throughout the facility will also be right 

sized to allow full functionality of all parts of the facility simultaneously. Additionally, this project will 

upgrade the design of the livestock chute on the slaughter floor. The current chute configuration is 

dated and creates a congested area and can only support one abattoir team at a time. The chute and 

holding pen area will be modified to allow a second abattoir team to work on the floor and double the 

output for this area utilizing a dual hoist system and dual animal cradles.

Recipient: Price Ventures, L.L.C.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Plant In A Box - KC Area Expansion of Meat Processing 

Demand for locally raised meat, grown by small/beginning/socially disadvantaged/veteran farmers is 

higher than processing capacity. Some poultry processors in the KC area limit access to producers that

only raise batches larger than 100 birds. Many farmers struggle for access due to timing and location 

limitations. Many small farms desire to sell inspected meat products direct to consumers and need 

access to inspected processing facilities willing to process smaller batch sizes. Project purpose – to 

expand processing capacity/efficiency, meet federal inspection standards, gain a Federal Grant of 

Inspection and increase access to slaughter/processing facilities for small/new/socially 

disadvantaged/veteran producers. Project will allow current processing to expand, allowing product 

market expansion. It will also provide additional access to small farms in the area, allowing for smaller 

batch sizes to be processed. Facility Needs - Expansion requires site preparation and installation of a 

‘Plant In A Box’, including purchase of a recycled/repurposed container/structure, purchase of modern 

slaughter/processing equipment, electrical upgrades, waste management systems and required 

conveyance/safety equipment. Project will also include installation of chilling/freezing equipment, 

processing PPE, meat packaging equipment and HACCP/food safety equipment. Expected Outcomes 

include an increase in processing for current farm customer of more than 1000% during year #1, the 

acquisition of labor skills that allow for further increases in processing and market penetration. Year #2 

outcomes include expanding access to 400% more farmers. Year #3 to surpass 20,000 chickens/turkeys 

processed.

Recipient: Freedom Meats LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Freedom Meats, LLC Operation Expansion into a USDA Federally Inspected Processing Facility 

The Purpose of the Project “Freedom Meats, LLC Operation Expansion into a USDA Federally Inspected 

Processing Facility” is to expand the current meat processing facility to accommodate the increased 

processing production needed for the retail meat operation and purchase new processing equipment to 

meet the demands of the retail meat operation. In addition to the new equipment and expansion 

project, Freedom Meats, LLC will need to provide Food Safety and Meat Processing training for all new 

employees, develop a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan, Sanitation SOPs, and

providing necessary documents/data to FSIS. The expected outcome of this project is increased revenue 
from the increased production, expansion of current facility, job creation and being recognized USDA 

Federally Inspected Processing Facility.

Freedom Meats, LLC is nestled in Southeast Kansas within the City of Caney, Montgomery County, 

Kansas. We are a custom exempt multi-species slaughter and processing facility. We currently employ a 

total of four employees, with the intention of hiring an additional seven to ten employees. The 

processing facility has undergone renovation and we are in the process of pursuing a retail meat 

establishment in Independence, Kansas. When Freedom Meats, LLC is operating at full capacity, we will 

be able to process between 25-30 livestock per week. Freedom Meats, LLC is in the process of becoming 

recognized as an USDA Federally Inspected Processing Facility.

Recipient: Circle P Processing 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Equipment and Capacity Optimalization for USDA capabilities 

The purpose of this project is to increase capacity by modernizing equipment and increasing safety 

standards so that the facility can pass a Federal Inspection. After completing this update and passing the 

Federal inspection, Circle P Processing will be able to meet the needs of clients wanting to sell meat

products throughout the United States.

Recipient: Schenker Family Farms Inc. 

Award Amount: $194,970.69

Total Project Amount: $194,970.69

Kansas Meat Processing Expands with USDA Inspection 

Schenker Family Farms (SFF) raises beef, hogs, and chicken. They sell the majority of their meat through 

consumer direct channels, including online markets, farmers' markets, and a subscription-based delivery 

service. The company also sells a limited amount of food into retailers in the Kansas City market and is 

an approved supplier to Whole Foods Market and Nature’s Pantry. SFF further processes meat into 

ready to heat/eat meals, including enchiladas, take and bake chicken pot pies, chili, and other regional 

favorites. By processing meat into entrees, the company can improve margins on relatively low value 

products. For example, pork shoulders can be processed into pork green chili stew, ground beef can be 

processed into beef enchiladas, etc. The company hopes to expand processing and distribution of these 

products. The McCune, Kansas facility operates as a processing area, distribution staging area, and cold 

storage area for the company. SFF is seeking USDA inspection for the facility so that it can expand the 

market for its specialty foods. Currently, the company only sells these products through consumer-direct 

channels. Having a USDA Inspected product would allow the company to sell through additional 

distribution channels. Grant Funds will be used to get the facility ready for Inspection. Grant funds will 

be used to hire a HACCP Consultant to develop a comprehensive food safety plan for the facility; 

packaging and labeling equipment and supplies; and facility improvements to expand the staging, 

loading and cold storage areas to ensure correct segregation of fresh/refrigerated and frozen products.
Recipient: BD Meats Inc.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Freezer Expansion/Repair for Federal Inspection and Smokehouse Capacity Increase 

There are three parts to this project. The first is to achieve federal inspection. We will work with FSIS to 

understand what if any modifications many be necessary in order to achieve federal inspection. We 

believe that repair to the freezer floor and walls will be required and possibly the addition of inspector 

office space. In the second part of this project additional square footage will be added to the existing 

plant to house new highly efficient freezer space making the best possible use of the space to hold the 

maximum amount of product. We will also enhance accessibility for our meat locker rental clients so 

that they can more easily and securely access their stored meat. For the Amish community access to 

freezer space is critical. In the third part of this project, we will renovate our existing freezer space to 

accommodate increased processing capacity needs. The heaving floor and damaged walls will be 

repaired in addition to installing the necessary plumbing and electrical upgrades to make the space 

suitable for processing. We will purchase an additional smokehouse and install it in the renovated space 

doubling our smoking capacity. The increased processing space and smokehouse capacity will allow us 

to produce more product from local farmers and ranchers. Having the improved freezer space will give 

up the ability to produce steadily and hold product to meet demand as needed rather than running 

short during key seasons of the year.

Recipient: Dieck's Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Application for Clay Center Locker 

The purpose of our project is to increase production of raw /further processed and cooked meats. This 

will aid local livestock producers in marketing their products in the "farm to fork" movement 

nationwide. By obtaining a federal grant of inspection versus state inspection, our customer will then be 

able to broaden their markets to other states than just Kansas. With the addition of advanced 

technologies in protein fabrication, the new processing equipment added to our current processing line, 

will increase capacity and efficiency while delivering a more superior product. This will allow us to 

service more customers and showcase just how great rural America's products are. This in turn will 

create more jobs, tax revenue, and opportunities for local Kansas producers along with livestock 

producers from other states. These same offerings will also be featured in our 3,000 square foot retail 

store. A few of the things that we will be promoting are our ground and retail cuts of multiple species 

along with over 20 fresh ground sausages, 25 flavors of bratwurst in link or patty form, 10 flavors of 

bacon, and 30 mouthwatering flavors of jerky, snack sticks and summer sausages.
Kentucky

Recipient: Burnette’s Enterprise LLC

Award Amount: $196,996.40

Total Project Amount: $196,996.40

Existing butcher shop seeking certification through USDA 

The purpose of this project is to be able to upgrade and receive training in order to function as a USDA 

certified facility. The needs for this facility would be construction and equipment upgrades as well as 

training and certification for employees. Currently the facility is custom processing about 8-10 beef per 

week. The expected outcome is for a successful expansion completed with USDA certification. The 

facility will be able to process 22 beef, 10 hogs, and 10 sheep and/or goats per week by year 3.

Recipient: Sugarloaf Mountain Meats and Processing

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection through the PPIA for Sugarloaf Mountain Meats and 

Processing 

Sugarloaf Mountain Meats and Processing has operated for nearly three years as a USDA-exempt small 

local slaughterer and processor of chickens in Morehead, KY. There is established unmet regional 

demand for higher-volume services (raising, slaughtering, and processing pasture-raised chickens) 

ranging from locally owned farmers who raise 400-600 birds annually to the area's Mennonite 

communities, which seek processing services for nearly 60,000 chickens per year. 

Sugarloaf’s expansion will fill a regional void in USDA-certified processing; there are only two other such 

facilities in Kentucky with both being several hours' drive from Morehead. The expansion will enable 

Sugarloaf to formalize existing verbal commitments with total processing of 75,000 birds annually. The 

company's principals, Timothy Leuenberger and Nathan Gregory, have several decades combined 

successful farming experience, including chicken slaughter/processing for nearly 10 years. 

The requested $200,000 in USDA support will enable Sugarloaf to undertake a critically needed 

expansion using the most recent industry plant technologies and will supplement the existing $75,000 

equity investment owners have made in land, equipment, machinery and working capital. 

The project will begin immediately upon funding award and result in the creation of at least four new 

jobs, modernization of both the existing facilities and equipment, and underwriting the cost of becoming 

a USDA certified facility. As importantly, Sugarloaf’s growth will meet an immediate, identified but 

unmet regional demand for high-volume poultry slaughter/processing services.
Louisiana

Recipient: Louisiana Craft Butchers LLC

Award Amount: $165,615

Total Project Amount: $165,615

Louisiana Craft Butchers Facility Federal Inspection project to increase capacity and revenue 

Louisiana Craft Butchers is a small meat processing facility that manufactures processed meat for sale to 

retail customers. By completing a Federal inspection, we will be able to expand our processing 

capabilities to expand into wholesale and co-packing as well as expanding our geographic region for 

processing and sales. This will result in an increase in capacity and revenue, which will provide valuable 

economic benefits for both our plant and the surrounding community. In order to meet Federal 

requirements, we must purchase several pieces of equipment. The following equipment will be 

purchased: 1 vertical smokehouse, 2 coolers, 1 freezer, and 1 cooler prep room. All of these items are 

necessary for Federal inspection as official and unofficial establishments must keep custom exempt 

operations separate and apart from any Federally inspected operations (per 9 CFR 303.1(a)(2)(ii) code). 

Without these additional coolers and freezer, our operations would not pass Federal inspection. We will 

also retain a consultant for creating and overseeing the creation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control 

Point (HACCP) plans for the facility, which is required for Federal inspection compliance. This service will 

include three plans for various products processed in the facility. The facility’s two operations 

contractors will complete online HACCP training to ensure the facility will be in compliance for the 

foreseeable future.

Recipient: Eunice Superette, Inc.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Eunice Superette transition project from state-inspected facility to USDA-inspected facility 

Eunice Superette transition project from state-inspected facility to USDA-inspected facility. Located in 

St. Landry Parish, the Eunice Superette plant intends to increase the processing capacity to 50 head of 

cattle per day, with custom processing and branded programs, as well as retail and food-service cuts to 

bring local, sustainable beef to the consumer. With this proposed project, we intend to upgrade some of 

our processing equipment and infrastructure and transition the facility from state-inspected to USDAinspected, thereby increasing capacity and regionalizing the beef supply chain in the state and beyond 

Louisiana. Our plans also include new direct and indirect jobs to support the state’s "Louisiana Beef" 

program with Louisiana cattle producers and consumers. At Eunice Superette, we aim to provide the 

highest quality products through the safest means necessary, deploy state-of-the-art technology to 

ensure humane handling of our cattle, and focus on communication with our communities to grow local, 

source local, and buy local sustainable beef. The USDA Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant 

funding will enable us to meet the USDA-inspected objectives by making improvements to the facility, 

equipment, and work processes.
Maine

Recipient: West Gardiner Beef

Award Amount: $150,000

Total Project Amount: $150,000

Operate as a State-inspected facility that is compliant with the cooperative interstate shipment 

program under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or Poultry Products Inspection Act 

West Gardiner Beef is a state-inspected family-owned slaughter and meat processing facility located in 

Central Maine. We are seeking the resources necessary to expand our capacity and operate our facility 

under the CIS program. We believe this will make our services available to more livestock growers in 

both Maine and New Hampshire. Smaller livestock growers in the region are finding it challenging to 

access fully inspected meat processors because of both capacity limitations of the inspected processors 

and an insufficient number of inspected processors. 

We intend to utilize the grant funds to add on to our processing capacity by installing a 16 X 24 cooler 

with rail access and product handling equipment which will increase our capacity by 5 to 8 beef cattle 

per week. The cooler will also accommodate external access with a rail system to accommodate 

handling of whole carcasses for customers who need slaughter services only. We also intend to replace a 

45-year-old smokehouse with a new higher capacity more flexible smokehouse. This will allow us to 

process more throughput and expand into other processed meats. The smokehouse will be installed in 

the same smoke room as the old one, but the installation will require some structural alterations. 

With expanded capacity and an upgraded smokehouse we will be able to accommodate more customers 

that are currently seeking our services but are being turned away.

Recipient: Brady Hatch, DBA Hatch's Custom Meat Cutting

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Project Title: Hatch’s Custom Meat Cutting Infrastructure and Slaughtering/Processing Capacity 

Expansion 

Hatch’s Custom Meat Cutting is a small, state-inspected slaughterhouse and custom meat processing 

facility located in the rural agricultural area of northern Maine. We are seeking the resources necessary 

to expand and upgrade our capacity which will allow us to successfully operate under the CIS program. 

We believe this will increase our services making them more available to additional livestock growers in

the region, some of whom currently truck animals over 100 miles south to a larger processing facility. 

Smaller livestock growers in the region currently find it challenging to access meat processing as their 

animals mature.

We will use the grant funds to make improvements to the existing facility to accommodate a larger 

volume of livestock during months of higher demand. Expansion and selected reconfiguration will 

enable more efficient operations thus resulting in increased productivity and processing capacity. The 

expansion will provide the square footage necessary for more efficient waste management, additional 

refrigerated storage space, improvements to the holding pen, and a separate office space to be used by 
an Inspector. These changes will support overall personnel and animal safety, as well as an effort to 

maintain strong inspection and food safety standards.

In addition, the purchase of larger capacity processing and modernized equipment would support more 

efficient processing and improve services by offering new products such as smoking, allowing us to be 

more competitive with larger facilities.

Recipient: Jason Esler DBA Jason’s Butcher Shop

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Jason’s Butcher Shop Meat Federal Grant of Inspection Grant Application 

Jason Esler, DBA Jason's Butcher Shop, is requesting assistance through the MPIRG for the purpose of 

improving facilities and purchasing equipment with intent to become a Maine state inspected facility 

participating in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program. While Jason's Butcher Shop focuses 

primarily on custom slaughtering and meat processing, COVID-19 has placed an unprecedented need for 

inspected meat processing facilities given current market demands. We are unable to move forward 

with an inspection program due to lack of available funds to adequately maintain old facilities and 

upgrade equipment that fails to meet the regulatory requirements outlined in the Federal Meat 

Inspection Act. 

Our primary focus it to first address facility deficiencies noted by the Maine Department of Agriculture 

Division of Quality, Assurance, and Regulation and gain State compliance. Two areas identified as 

needing improvement include sanitation operations and inedible product storage. Facility needs include: 

ceiling and wall repair in meat processing room, ceiling and wall repair in smoker room, ceiling and wall 

repair on kill floor, concrete floor repair in smoker room, plumbing repair, and repair of the cattle 

handling/intake area.

Recipient: Rooney’s Meat Shop, LLC

Award Amount: $195,000

Total Project Amount: $195,000

Modernizing and increasing capacity of Rooney’s Meat Shop, LLC

Rooney’s Meat Shop LLC is a home-based custom exempt slaughterhouse and processing facility in rural 

Northern Maine. The current facility cannot be expanded or cost effectively retrofitted to be compliant 

with FSIS regulations because it operates in the lower level of the Rooney family residence.

Unrelated to the MPIRG, the owner has decided to purchase land nearby (purchase closing date is

8/6/2021), drill a well, install a septic system and build a larger facility in the summer 2022. The initial 

plan was to continue as a custom exempt facility for now and take the steps necessary to obtain a 

Federal Grant of Inspection within five to seven years once the business has grown. With the possibility 

of a MPIRG grant, that plan could be accelerated to three years which would address the need for an 

inspected facility in far Northern Maine which local growers are seeking because it is the growers who 

sell the processed meat to customers. The nearest inspected facility is 1 1⁄2 hours south of Mapleton.
Grant money will be utilized to upgrade the newly constructed facility to meet the requirements to

obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection. This will include things like Vinyl wall and ceiling surfaces, stainless 

steel rail systems and other product moving equipment, Polyethylene cutting tables, inspected scales, 

air curtains, packaging and labeling equipment and refrigeration equipment. Grant funds will also be 

utilized for technical assistance with Sanitation SOP, a HACCP plan and developing product labeling.

Recipient: Colvard & Company LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expanding Northeast Maine’s local CIS sausage processing capacity 

Colvard & Company is a small, chef-owned sausage maker located in rural northeast Maine. The 

objectives of this application are to apply for state inspection (CIS) and use MPIRG funds to:

• Improve meat processing capacity 

• Develop new products and expanded markets 

• Increase access to Colvard’s processing facility for smaller farmers. 

Colvard began in 2018 as a spinoff of Coda Restaurant, owned by Chef Carter Light and business partner 

Jim Mitchell. We initially manufactured sausages under contract with a local processor. Due to COVID, 

the contract manufacturer was unable to supply adequate product, so we converted part of the 

restaurant into a licensed processing facility. This came on-line at the end of 2020 at 100 pounds/week,

and now produces and distributes over 300 lbs./week of 12 different products to 20+ small groceries 

and restaurants throughout Maine. Demand for Colvard’s products is strong, but we have reached only 

a small fraction of our potential customers. There is also demand for other products that we cannot 

make because of equipment limitations. Currently capacity peaks at 500 lbs./week, constrained by 

equipment capacity and capability, and the availability of USDA inspectors. Colvard seeks MPIRG funding 

to increase capacity 10-fold to approximately 5,000 lbs./week, enabling us to reach more customers. As 

we expand production, we will initiate a marketing campaign, expand our product line, and purchase a 

label applicator. These efforts together will enable us to process more animals for small producers, 

increasing access and maintaining identity preservation for them.

Recipient: Matthew Weston dba Weston’s Meat and Poultry 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Weston’s Meat expands slaughterhouse and processing capacity to address the needs of small, 

rural farms 

As the number and size of small, independent livestock producers in Maine increases, local 

slaughterhouses and processing facilities do not have the capacity to meet the demand. Weston’s 

quality harvesting and processing services will expand its red meat and swine operating capacity by 75% 

to respond to the growing demand and achieve the quality standards required by the Department of 

Agriculture’s Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program (CIS). The CIS certification will provide Weston’s 

customers with the option of shipping their products throughout the United States. CIS, coupled with 

Weston’s increased capacity, will boost farmers’ ability to expand into new markets. Weston’s 
expansion of the existing facility by 828 sq. ft. will improve operational efficiency and health and safety 

practices, as well as productivity. The increased space will create single purpose rooms to ensure food 

safety quality assurance, decrease the risk of cross contamination, and improve workflow and 

productivity. Weston’s will expand its facility by: (1) Addition of a processing room (with associated

equipment, including a walk-in freezer); (2) Expansion of the slaughterhouse floor to incorporate a 

connected room for sanitary storage of offal until removed from the premises. This expansion would 

also include a bathroom and shower stall to ensure staff and inspectors maintain sanitary practices. (3) 

Replacement of a structural wall in the existing processing room that is rotting due to exposure to water 

used for cleaning. The new wall will have a concrete footer at its base to prevent subsequent water 

damage. (See Appendices A for floor plan/construction quote.

Recipient: Nest & Mullen LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Nest & Mullen LLC Rebuild: Fire Recovery 2021 

Nest and Mullen LLC has been a small family run meat processing business in Kennebunk, Maine since 

the late 1920s. This past year has been exceedingly difficult for us. On September 17th, 2020, we 

suffered a devastating fire that destroyed our 50’ x 60’ plant and left us with over 17,000lbs of meat to 

replace for our customers. Our building was a total loss and with appointments already stretching over a 

year out we were forced to close until we could build a small 16’ x 30’ temporary building. The 

temporary building is too small to use forever, it lacks a killfloor, cooler, freezer and rail system. We 

have been renting a killfloor from a neighboring plant, hand lugging meat in and out of our temporary 

reefers/freezers and using reefer trucks and trailers to hold product. With this grant and our 5 

generations of experience in the industry we can have hope at rebuilding and continuing on in the meat 

processing business. We would be humbled by the chance to use this money to build back better and 

become a state inspected plant. We want to provide our service to more people and continue to be an 

integral part of our local community and economy.

Maryland

Recipient: Pasture Living LLC 

Award Amount: $178,550.00

Total Project Amount: $178,550.00

Pasture Living USDA Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Project in Myersville, MD 

Farmers and ranchers are having far less options for processing and selling their products. There is a 

significant lack of competition and /or availability to farmers and ranchers. This lack of competition has 

made it very tough on family farmers and ranchers. Farmers share of every dollar spent on food has 

declined consistently from the 1970’s. There is a growing need for both healthy chicken, and poultry 

processing services in the region. Local restaurants, retailers, farms, and individuals need both. this 

project will provide opportunity to raise and process healthy chicken by offering both poultry and 

poultry processing services to the community and farms where there is an increasing demand. Pasture 

Living current facility can process 100-200 chickens per week. Cold Storage and better processing 

facilities will vastly increase productivity and capacity. Allowing for opportunity to the local 
communities, farmers and individuals to have healthy poultry products and poultry processing services. 

This project will provide more controlled sanitary conditions, larger cold storage capacity and support 

regenerative agriculture practices. Allowing customers to have more healthy food and at an affordable 

price. It will help alleviate the 12-24 month wait times on processing services in the region. 

Massachusetts

Recipient: Reed Farm, LLC.

Award Amount: $198,823.12

Total Project Amount: $198,823.12

Expanding Poultry Production in Massachusetts through USDA Inspection 

The purpose of this project is to build upon Reed Farm’s existing infrastructure and recent upgrades 

towards USDA certification to improve its capacity and efficiency, maintain strong inspection and food 

safety standards, obtain a larger commercial presence, and increase access to poultry processing for 

small farms, ne and beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged producers, and veteran producers. 

Proposed use of grants funds include epoxy coating the existing facility floor and installing air condition 

to increase processing efficiency, maintain strong inspection and food safety standards, and ensure 

comfort and safety for workers and livestock, Freezer speed trays and racks, air chill crates, dualchambered vacuum sealer, industrial scales, commercial washer, and heavy duty carts will support 

biosecurity and batch tracking, while upholding a high level of food safety and product marketability. An 

additional scalder and packer will increase processing capacity and efficiency and serve as back up for 

existing equipment. Food processing equipment such as sausage stuffer and food dehydrator will 

provide avenues for new and expanded markets while meeting food safety requirements, increasing 

product quality, and elongating shelf life. The purchase of refrigerated van for product delivery and 

poultry crates for humane livestock transport will alleviate obstacles faced by many small farmers.

Completing this project will allow us to become the only USDA-certified poultry processing facility in 

Massachusetts. Additional outcomes include improved capacity, efficiency, and performance or our 

poultry processing facility and increase access to processing for smaller farms, new and beginning 

farmers, socially disadvantaged producers, and veteran producers. 

Michigan

Recipient: Cozat Packing

Award Amount: $199,618.74

Total Project Amount: $199,618.74

The Expansion of Capacity and Productivity for Cozat Packing 

The goal of this project is to expand our current operations so that we can increase the capacity and 

productivity and to increase the number of livestock that are processed at Cozat Packing weekly for our 

rural community. Our objectives for this project are to increase our freezer capacity, install additional 

cooling units for our cooler, update outdated equipment that cannot keep up with production such as a 

commercial grinder, vacuum packer, scale, install an electrical phase converter, expand the capacity of 
our blood pit so we can continue to be up to code, replacing leaking roof over slaughter room, and 

install a POS software system that will increase our productivity, and allow for better record keeping. 

With these objectives in mind, we would be able to use this grant to be able to update our ageing 

processing plant so we can keep up with the growing demand for custom butchered meats in our 

community and the surrounding rural areas. By increasing our capacity and productivity levels we will be 

able to service more farmers who have growing livestock herds in need of processing, provide food to 

local families who depend on our services for meat in our community, and hire more workers from our 

community. We have not submitted for any other Federal or State grant program.

Recipient: Creswick Farms 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Creswick Farms Processing Plant Modernization 2021 Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness 

Grant Proposal Request 

In 2018 with an eye towards becoming USDA inspected, Creswick Farms enlarged it processing facility 

from 4200 to 7200 square feet to allow for more processing space. With the advent of Covid-19, the

however, final remodeling of the new space was seriously delayed. Therefore, our grant request of 

$200,000.00 will provide the funds to update the refrigeration system allowing for greater energy 

efficiency, update the washable surfaces, create better ergonomics for staff (which would reduce noise 

levels and potential injuries), update safety measures such as the addition of temp recordings and fault 

alarms; all of which will make our plant ready to welcome a USDA inspector. Also, by utilizing the USDA 

Stamp of Inspection, Creswick Farms will be able to expand our market reach through wholesale 

transactions which will help us to not only retain our current staff positions but help to add more staff in 

the future. USDA inspection will also assist us in helping other farmers with processing their USDA 

slaughtered animals as well as retailers who has asked to sell our products.

Recipient: Sommers Sausage Shop 

Award Amount: $197,000

Total Project Amount: $197,000

Making Federal Inspection Available to Underserved Small Farms in Michigan's Upper Peninsula 

Sommers Sausage Shop is proposing an expansion of services from custom-exempt to federally 

inspected slaughter. Our company, based in Crystal Falls in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula (WUP), 

has been in business for 28 years. We custom process beef and pork annually from 200 regional 

farmers. We also seasonally process deer. Our first objective for this project is to increase processing 

from 150 head annually to 187 head annually, an increase of 25%. Our second objective is to conduct 

federally inspected processing at least 104 days a year. Inspection paperwork will be used to evaluate

success for these objectives. Our third objective is to increase market access point for our livestock 

producer customers. We will evaluate our success by polling regional food establishments at the end of 

the grant period. There is a pronounced need for federally inspected processing in the UP. Only two 

federally inspected slaughter facilities exist within a 6-hour drive of the WUP region, in Michigan and 

Wisconsin. The overwhelmingly small farmers of the WUP often cannot carry the costs in time and 

money to access these facilities or, due to their size, cannot negotiate line time. We understand 

producer needs through our built relationships with 200 regional farmers. Our expansion to federal 
processing is informed by the desire by our customers to scale outputs and expand market 

opportunities. If awarded, we will build a kill floor at our own expense, estimated to be $150,000. This 

build is required for federal inspection and will increase production capacity.

Recipient: Wilson's Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Wilson’s Meats LLC Plan to Obtain Federal Grant of Inspection by September 2024 

Wilson’s Meats LLC will pursue a USDA Grant of Inspection to make quality meats more accessible in 

rural Northern Michigan. By modernizing processing equipment, expanding on food safety protocols, 

and adhering to packaging and label requirements, Wilson’s Meats LLC will be able to improve its 

processing and packaging capability, capacity, and efficiency to better meet local consumer and 

producer needs. Procuring new state-of-the-art equipment will double the amount of product to be 

processed and will alleviate constraints on other local facilities. In addition, replacing production 

supplies will maintain strong inspection and food safety standards; while purchasing parts/material for 

current equipment will ensure downtime is minimized. With the addition of new grinding and stuffing 

equipment, Wilson’s Meats LLC will be able to create devoted lines of production and will double the 

output of product annually. This increase in production would add four new employees and add training 

opportunities for current employees. A USDA Grant of Inspection would allow Wilson’s Meats LLC to 

produce more product tonnage efficiently and effectively, create a more knowledgeable work force, and 

expand services and offerings to new and current customers, producers, processors, and partners.

Recipient: Bosserd Brothers Meats LLC

Award Amount: $199,887

Total Project Amount: $199,887

Increase slaughter and processing capacity 50% to serve local farmers and retail meat demand 

Bosserd’s on-farm market has been serving the community for over 30 years with home grown fruits, 

vegetables, annual and perennial flowers and educational agro-tourism for families. They have raised 

home grown beef and fed out steers for four generations. Purchasing an adjacent slaughter and 

processing facility in 2008 has added beef and pork to their retail market and custom processing of 

quarters and halves. Significant upgrades to the facility will allow for doubling the head of hogs and beef 

slaughtered and processed to meet the 50% increase in demand. Growth is necessary for efficiency, 

personal and food safety, environmental security, and profitability. The next generation has returned to 

the family farm and $79,000 in facility upgrades have already been accomplished. This project will 

provide the additional facility and equipment modernization to expand slaughter and processing 

capacity from 10 cattle and 8 hogs per week to 20 and 16 head per week while pursuing USDA 

inspection status. This will provide a USDA facility in an area of Michigan that is lacking capacity to meet 

current and future demand. The facility will be able to custom slaughter for their 246 beef and hog 

producers in the area while allowing them to sell individual cuts of meat to consumers. It will also allow 

Bussard’s farm to slaughter their own raised beef on site for retail sales, rather than currently being 

shipped a distance to slaughter. This facility will serve the future demands for meat with alternatives in 

uncertain times.
Recipient: Love Meats, Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Making Federal Inspection Available and Increasing Processing Throughput in the Eastern Upper 

Peninsula 

Love Meats is proposing an expansion from custom-exempt to federally inspected slaughter. Our 

company, based in Rudyard in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP), has been in business for 16 

years. We slaughter beef and pork at an indoor facility. We custom-process at a second facility 1.5 miles 

away. We work with 50 regional farmers annually. USDA processing capacity is severely lacking in the 

UP. There are only two federally inspected slaughter facilities within a 6-hour round-trip drive of the 

EUP region, which strains EUP farmers who must drive to facilities in Escanaba or Falmouth. As a result, 

many small farmers are simply unable to negotiate line time. This is a dominant reason why there is no 

local beef or pork sold to restaurant or grocery outlets in the EUP region. A feasibility study conducted in 

December 2016, found that Love Meats was regionally the best positioned to upgrade from customexempt to federally inspected. Our goal is to increase processing access for regional farmers and grow 

access to the local food system by upgrading to USDA processing. The first objective is to conduct 

federally inspected processing at least 3 days a week. The second objective is to increase processing 

throughput by 120 head, a 25% increase. These objectives will be verified using daily production 

paperwork. The third objective is to facilitate a market for local meat. We will evaluate using a regional 

survey of food establishments. This project has not been submitted to any other federal or state grant 

programs.

Recipient: Sarah Miles Cleveland J & S Meats

Award Amount: $186,670

Total Project Amount: $186,670

Facility and equipment upgrades increasing production capacity and efficiency to secure Federal 

Grant of Inspection 

J & S Meats requests funding to increase production capacity and holding capacity to secure a Federal 

Grant of Inspection. Currently the facility operates seasonally with part-time employees and is unable to 

meet the demands of a federally inspected facility. It lacks the square footage required for a reasonably 

sized production area with the needed equipment. The facility lacks the cooler space to hold enough 

carcasses to support full-time, year-round production. This project includes increasing the size of our 

production area, creating a dry storage room and office space for the inspector, and modernizing our 

equipment including walk-in coolers and freezers.

Walk-in cooler and freezer upgrades allow J & S Meats to accept, age and process beef carcasses as well 

as continuing to process hogs and lambs in larger quantities. The equipment upgrades allow for more 

carcasses to be processed at one time and in total. The addition of a dry storage room and office space 

for the inspector, allow the facility to meet the requirements for a Federal Grant of Inspection. With the 

increases in production the facility can maintain full-time, year-round employment for its employees 

and create additional job opportunities. All employees will be trained on Sanitation and HACCP plans 

creating increased labor skills.
The facility is located in Newaygo County, Michigan and is positioned in the center of a 45-mile radius of 

any multi-species USDA inspected plant. This project will provide USDA processing to an underserved 

rural community of small farmers and ranchers.

Minnesota

Recipient: Autumn Antlers, Inc. 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Autumn Antlers upgrade of facilities, equipment, and personnel from Minnesota State Custom 

Exempt Meat Processing to a USDA Federal Grant of Inspection 

Autumn Antlers intends to expand our current business model by processing various animal to include 

beef, hogs, elk, red stag, deer, and bison. In the process, we intend to grow and expand the business. 

Our location is located in a somewhat economically depressed rural area. This facility will initially create 

2 new jobs but expand into the possible creation of as many as 15 new jobs. We are seeking USDA 

approvals and ownership has made a substantial financial commitment to this effort.

Recipient: Backroad Meats Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expand freezer and processing area with an equipment upgrade to obtain Federal Grant of 

Inspection 

Backroad Meats Inc is a newly State-Inspected slaughter and processing facility in rural Minnesota. To 

acquire a Federal Grant of Inspection, these things must be upgraded; a 26'X35' addition added on to 

the existing building with a 15'X25' freezer. To become Federally Inspected, the freezer needs to be 

enlarged to 15'X25' from its 8'X14' current size to be able to follow requirements for storage of the 

inspected product. The cooler for smoked/fully cooked product currently is 6'X8' and needs to be 

upgraded to 10'X10' to allow for the product to be cooled in a timely fashion with enough airflow to 

bring the temperature of the product down within its acceptable range per the Federal regulations. 

There is also a corner that is available to place a work space/office, as the building currently has none, as 

this is a requirement to have a workspace available for the federal inspector. Upgrading from a water 

pressure sausage stuffer to a hydraulic stuffer will eliminate a source in which bacteria thrive. This is 

especially important for the Federal Inspection as there are routine samples taken to test for E. Coli and 

Listeria, this will potentially help reduce the possibility of recalls. Finally, acquiring a computing scale 

with a printer to abide by the Federal Inspection labelling requirements. This will eliminate the need for 

staff to handwrite the necessary information onto the label. This will allow us to achieve Federal Grant 

of Inspection by August 2023.
Recipient: Neighbors Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Federal Food Safety Inspection Upgrade 

The purpose of the Federal Food Safety Inspection Upgrade - Phase I is for Neighbors Meats LLC to 

become a federally inspected slaughtering and processed meats retail facility with the end goal of 

serving local meats to local customers. The recently acquired facility needs FDA food-grade coating on 

interior cooler, structural repairs to the roof, sinks replaced to meet both federal and state 

requirements, updates doors and walkway in kill, updated, updated refrigeration, and an updated 

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.

Recipient: Bruders Butcher Breckenridge

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Bruders Butcher Breckenridge Grant of Federal Inspection 

Bruders Butcher Breckenridge aims to become a USDA approved processor to better serve the 

community of farmers and consumers in the Breckenridge-Wahpeton region. Since Bruders Butcher 

Breckenridge is located in a border city the only way to bring local meat to the North Dakota side is 

under a Federal Grant of Inspection, even though we are located less than a mile away. With USDA 

approved products Bruders Butcher Breckenridge will also be able to distribute to the larger 

metropolitan area of Fargo, ND, which is an hour North of the business.

The market is currently approved under MN Department of Agriculture Inspection but currently requires 

basement remodeling to provide space for USDA inspectors and clean room for mixing and storing dry 

goods. With additional remodeled space, it will increase storage space needed to comply with 

regulations and process for food safety and labeling. An additional freezer will also be needed for 

storage and keeping finished product separate.

Being able to operate under a USDA Grant of inspection will enable Bruders Butcher Breckenridge to not 

only reach the majority of the population in the local area on the other side of the state border, but 

greatly increase the local beef processing from very small farmers to once unreachable customers in the 

entire region.

Mississippi

Recipient: Country Meat Market

Award Amount: $196,100

Total Project Amount: $196,100

Country Meat Market 

Country Meat Market is a 3,200 square foot multiple-species harvest and processing plant located in 

Lincoln County, Mississippi. The business provides meat processing services to livestock producers in the 
region. Country Meat Market currently processes under Mississippi's Custom Exempt Program. Grant 

funds will be used to make improvements to the facility so that it can process under USDA inspection.

Facility Needs: Country Meat Market is a 45-year-old processing facility. The walls and ceiling need to be

improved throughout the facility. In addition, the facility needs to add freezer space. The facility needs 

minor configuration modifications, with the addition of an inspector’s office and a separate heattreating area.

Expected Outcomes: New wall, ceiling, and flooring surfaces in the processing area are needed for 

general food safety requirements and to pursue inspection. Processing throughput has been severely 

constrained by a lack of freezer space. Having more freezer space will increase output. Country Meat 

Market's heat-treated processing area will be moved to a separate area in the facility, with a tempering 

cooler for smoked product. This will ensure complete separation of raw and cooked product. CMM will 

have a separate office area for the USDA inspector.

The project will be managed by Danny Smith, owner and operator of CMM. The project will begin upon 

award and will be completed within 2 years. The company is requesting $196,100 to offset the cost of 

renovated the facility and purchase of limited new equipment.

Recipient: Mississippi State University 

Award Amount: $199,940

Total Project Amount: $199,940

Upgrading the Mississippi State University Poultry Processing Plant to Obtain a Federal Grant of 

Inspection 

The goal of the proposed project is to upgrade the Mississippi State University poultry processing plant 

to obtain a federal grant of inspection and to improve the processing capability and training capacity. 

The long-term goal is to utilize the facility to conduct HACCP and USDA Inspector training programs and 

to make the facility profitable by producing and marketing products. The proposed project addresses 

issues by purchasing essential equipment and hiring a new part-time employee specifically for the 

processing plant. A team has been assembled including faculty members with processing, food safety, 

and meat science expertise, the farm manager, and an experienced industry consultant to coordinate 

the proposed activities. We anticipate that by the end of the project period, the plant will be federally 

inspected, process and market a significantly greater product volume and conduct regular trainings for 

the industry/federal agencies. 

Missouri

Recipient: Neal Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) 

Necessary steps to update for USDA inspection. 

1) Process floor expansion and read to eat products from raw meats separation.
2) 3-Phase service currently local electric company doesn't have 3 phases in our area, they will 

bring it to the property for $40,000. We must have it to be able to use necessary equipment to 

comply with USDA.

Recipient: Ozark Plateau Pork, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection to expand marketing opportunities for disadvantaged 

pork farmers 

The project’s purpose is to significantly enhance pork production and marketing opportunities for a 

group of 20 disadvantaged farm families in Central Missouri. A European designed slaughter facility was 

completed in December, 2019 in rural Osage County by farmer owned Ozark Plateau Pork, LLC (OPP), 

The needs of the facility and the objectives of this grant are 1) to increase capacity, flow and efficiency 

by purchasing carcass cooling and product freezing modular equipment, 2) To improve shelf life, 

traceability and retail sales by purchasing form-filled packaging equipment and labeling accessory and 3) 

develop and implement all required plans and protocols to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection. 

Fulfilling these objectives will allow for the interstate sales and shipment of pork throughout the United 

States and assure the highest safety and quality standards. 

The company’s leadership has built tremendous marketing relationships Ozark during the past 20 years 

with a focus on organic, Non-GMO, pasture based, antibiotic free pork. It plans to develop the local and 

regional retail and food service markets as well as launching a home delivery program. The facility was 

built for a capacity of 50 pork carcasses weekly but has market demand for 300 niche hogs weekly.

A strong team to perform the project’s work has been identified and secured including project manager 

Russ Kremer. Kremer, former president of the Missouri Pork Producers Association, was the founder of 

Heritage Foods, the most prominent supplier of Non-GMO Project Verified pork in the country. Ron 

Meek, former harvest supervisor for Seaboard Foods, is the production manager. Karla Klingner 

manages business and market development. She has previously held prominent positions with US 

Senator Kit Bond and McLeod, Watkinson and Miller agriculture law firm.

Recipient: Turner Processing, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expand Turner Processing into a state inspected processing plant with Cooperative Interstate 

Shipping Compliance 

To capitalize on rising interest in local meats and farming, Turner Processing intends to expand into a 

state (CIS) inspected meat processing facility including retail space for specialty meat products. Turner 

Processing has been in business for 37 years and has traditionally served livestock producers and 

hunters with custom harvest and meat cutting services operating under USDA’s custom exemption and 

retail exemption.
At a national level, as the U.S Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports the rise of consumer 

demand for local meat, the local butcher shop is more relevant than ever. Recent meat scarcity from 

both domestic and international sources have increased customer interest in small regional meat 

processing businesses. Local meat processors currently operating have an opportunity to expand their 

business by creating personal relationships with their customers and differentiating their products based 

on local quality and uniqueness. It is critically important to meet the need of the local food market by 

having sufficient infrastructure to meet demand, we need more equipment to meet the needs of local 

farmers and customers.

Turner Processing intends to capture part of this local market trend by acquiring state (CIS) inspection 

for harvesting, processing, and by expanding its facility to increase capacity and expand wholesale and 

retail sales of specialty meats. To help capture part of the local market Turner’s will need to expand 

equipment to accommodate the increase in business. The grant will allow us to purchase modern 

equipment which will allow our employees to be more productive.

Recipient: Woodward Meats LLC

Award Amount: $199,746.89

Total Project Amount: $199,746.89

Expanding Markets with The CIS Program 

Woodward Meats, LLC is owned and operated by Adam and Kendra Woodward, Missouri cattle 

producers. The Woodwards spent years developing a direct market for their family's beef. As a result of 

COVID, they lost access to slaughter space. After careful research, the Woodwards opened a small-scale 

custom plant in Archie, Missouri. Now the operation processes about 15 head of beef and 15 hogs per 

week. 

The business has been successfully serving farm families in Eastern Missouri since inception in 

September of 2020. Woodward Meats, LLC is interested in becoming State inspected, and becoming 

compliant with the CIS Program. Doing this will allow the company to grow the market for both its meat 

processing services, as well as the market for the company's own beef.

Becoming State Inspected will require modifications to equipment and infrastructure. Grant funds are 

being requested for both equipment and infrastructure improvements necessary for compliance with 

State inspection as well as market growth.

Recipient: Cowboy Country Processing, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Cowboy Country Processing, LLC 

Cowboy Country Processing LLC has the capacity to process about 10 head of beef a week, or a 

combination of beef, pork and lamb. The company is seeking grant funds to update the facility's 

equipment and infrastructure so that it can pass State Inspection and process and distribute through the 

CIS program.
$200,000 in grant funds will be used to update the 1,100 square foot facility. Funds will be used to 1) 

Update wall surfaces and operating spaces in the facility, 2) Modernize processing equipment 3) 

Improve packaging and labeling for compliance. Applicant has completed HACCP plan and is undertaking 

other compliance requirements.

The project will be started upon notification of funding and will be completed within two years. This 

project will benefit livestock producers in Southwest Missouri and will expand the markets for locally 

produced beef and pork. Consumers in Southwest Missouri will have improved access to locally 

produced meat.

Recipient: Aaron Poole DBA Walnut Hill Farms

Award Amount: $199,956.81

Total Project Amount: $199,956.81

Walnut Hill Farms Meat Processing Upgrade for Federal Inspection 

Walnut Hill Farms Meat Processing is a third-generation business that provides fee-based slaughtering 

and meat processing to livestock producers and retail customers in rural northeast Missouri. We process 

beef cattle and hogs as well as deer, sheep, goats, and bison, and participate in the Share the Harvest 

deer program in Missouri. 

The primary goal is to obtain a Grant of Federal Inspection. Secondary, related goals are to:

a) increase slaughter and processing capacity through upgrades to equipment,

b) upgrade product labeling equipment to meet federal inspection standards,

c) update office technology for improved record keeping, data analysis, and reporting an increase 

in market reach by establishing an online presence.

To accomplish these goals, we intend to purchase new equipment and supplies for meat processing and 

upgrade the water treatment plant. We will ensure that all employees complete HACCP training and are 

trained on the new safety procedures. We also plan to purchase supplies that will enhance labeling and 

record keeping, including a state-of-the-art computerized label-maker, and office technology for 

tracking orders, documenting safety procedures, managing grant reporting. Finally, we plan to expand 

our marketing efforts to increase the number of customers. The Grant of Federal Inspection will also 

help us expand our market by allowing us to sell to customers in neighboring states (Illinois and Iowa).

Recipient: Zimmerman

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Facility upgrade and process improvements to obtain Federal Grant of Inspection and expand 

existing markets 

Zimmerman Meats is a State Inspected meat harvest and processing plant in rural southern Missouri 

which employs 23 people and serves local producers, wholesale clients, and retail customers across the 

region.
The facility is currently preparing to transition from Missouri State Inspection to Federal Inspection. 

With this change, total production volume is expected to increase beyond the capacity of the current

slaughter floor configuration and record-keeping processes.

Recipient: Hermann Wurst Haus LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Missouri Specialty Meat Company Expands into New Markets with CIS Program 

Hermann Wurst Haus, LLC processes specialty meat, including 25 flavors of bacon, sausages, smoked 

hams, snack sticks and deli meats. Meat products are sold directly to consumers from a retail store and 

deli that are adjacent to the processing facility. The operation is managed by Mike Sloan, a 55-year meat 

and sausage veteran.

Hermann is a small German-founded town located 70 miles east of St. Louis, on I-70. The town has a 

steady stream of visitors that come to the town’s wineries, breweries, biking trails, and Hermann Wurst 

Haus. Many of these visitors are from out of state.

Project Purpose: The company is in unique position to expand sales of its specialty meats, both through 

consumer-direct mail order sales and through regional retailers. The company’s goal is to expand off-site 

sales by becoming compliant with Missouri’s CIS program offered through USDA.

Facility Needs: To expand sales through the CIS program, the company will need to improve labeling, 

cooking equipment, and refrigeration. $200,000 of these costs will be paid for by this grant.

Expected Outcomes: Hermann Wurst Haus will be able to expand sales through area retailers and 

specialty shops that operate in the region. In addition, Hermann Wurst Haus will be able to expand mail

order sales to customers in other state. Management estimates that sales could increase as much as 

50% per year, over the next three years. This project will support Missouri’s niche meat processors and 

independent livestock producers who supply Hermann Wurst Haus with beef and pork.

Recipient: Morning Glory Farms LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Morning Glory Farms is seeking compliance with CIS program to expand our production and sales 

Morning Glory Farms produce and finishes beef for slaughter & currently operates as a Missouri state 

inspected processing facility with HACCP plans in place for beef Biltong & to package raw intact meat. 

Our journey began with direct beef sales & producing beef bone broth in our kitchen. We applied and 

received a Farm to Table grant in January 2019 through the state of Missouri. The Farm to Table funding 

allowed us to move our broth production from our home and into a processing facility. Our goal was to 

get our broth into institutions such as hospitals and schools. However, Covid derailed our plans and 

institutions were not able to purchase our products due to fund limitations. We did not want to waste 

our funding, so we decided to diversity. We sought and obtained Missouri state inspection status in

order to produce other value-added products for wholesale and retail sales. As we shifted our 
production from broth to bitlong, we were able to capture funding via the CARES Act. That enabled us to 

purchase additional equipment to produce & package beef bitlong f& bone broth, and to expand our 

wholesale and retail beef sales. We are in hopes that we can utilize the funding from the MPIRG to 

modify our existing storage facility & to purchase needed equipment to expand our product line, with 

the intent of obtaining CIS inspection. The modification of our current facility would create a larger 

space for packaging product & allow us to open a store for wholesale and retail sales. 

Recipient: J&J Processing

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

J&J Processing Missouri Cooperative Interstate Shipping Compliance 

J&J Processing is centrally located in a nine-county region in southwest Missouri containing 15% and 

12% respectively of the state's cattle and hog operations. Only eight inspected (5 State, 3 USDA) small 

processing plants are available for use by the 8,100 Cattle (601,000 head) and 330 hog (8,000 head) 

operations. All facilities are currently booked well into 2022 or 2023 and J&J Processing turns away an 

average of five customers per day. J&J Processing is pursuing three objectives with this grant: 1. Obtain 

key facility updates to meet inspection requirements, 2. Obtain a grant of inspection and CIS compliance 

from Missouri Meat and Poultry Inspection Service, and 3. Begin processing as a CIS inspected facility. 

Based on a preliminary inspection for compliance in October of 2020, J&J's needs to address frozen 

condensation and rust with a new freezer, cooler, rail system and building to cover these components. 

J&J is requesting $200,000 in grant funds to help offset the projected total cost $379,167.09 to become 

compliant and operate under the CIS program. Owners James and Julies Etter have previous experience 

operating an inspected facility and have obtained quotes for all necessary construction and equipment 

to regain certification. If these objectives are achieved, the facility upgrades will both meet inspection, 

allow J&J's to increase slaughter and processing capacity by 48% (additional 240 hogs and 249 beef), 

provide additional services such as dry aging, and expand market access for an estimated 6 70 area 

livestock producers and 1,709 consumers.

Recipient: Clark's Custom Meat Co

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

MPIRG proposal to expand processing capacity, achieve CIS compliance, promote small farms, 

and serve consumers 

There is a great need in our community for an increase in livestock slaughter and processing services 

especially for smaller farm operations. We must increase access of small producers to processing 

services to help meet consumer demand for quality inspected meat. We are currently serving our 

producers as completely as our capacity will allow. We are restricted in expanding that service because 

of lack of space, lack of efficient modern equipment, and lack of inspection services. Our intent in 

requesting this grant is to increase our current processing capacity, labor capacity, and service capacity.

Our plan includes a 40X40 addition to our existing structure to accommodate and increase of 600 Sq Ft 

of freezer space, increase the footprint of the processing room, and additional storage space all 
contributing to an increase in capacity. Modernizing several pieces of key equipment will allow a 

significant increase in efficiency, labor capacity, and processing capacity. 

A hazard analysis will be conducted, and HACCP plan implemented to allow participation in the CIS 

program. Additional equipment will be added to the slaughter floor to meet inspection requirements. 

After completion we will expand our services to offer smaller local farms the opportunity to have their 

livestock processed under inspection allowing marketing of their products for retail sale 

This project will help to strengthen income stability to our local farm families, stability in the meat 

supply chain including our own meat processing plant meeting consumer demand for farm fresh quality 

meat.

Recipient: Rock Ridge Farms Production LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Project to come under USDA inspection and increase beef kill capacity to 5x current 

The awardee is seeking a USDA grant of inspection for two primary components: 

1) Redesign HACCP plan, processes, and obtain equipment necessary to meet USDA inspection 

standards and,

2) Modernize our beef kill floor & expand hanging cooler

Montana

Recipient: Cowboy Meat Company LL

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project: $200,000

Upgrading Equipment at Cowboy Meats to Reach USDA-Inspection Status and Bolster Native 

American Food Access 

Cowboy Meat Company is a custom processor and retailer in Forsyth, Montana. Cowboy Meats operates 

inside a leased facility and has potential to be a regional alternative to the major packers, but we 

currently lack equipment and materials to reach our potential and pass FSIS inspection. 

To fix this, we propose adding a pneumatic stunner and skinning cradle powered by an upgraded 

compressor, which will increase our slaughter capacity by 4,128,000 pounds during the grant period. 

These improvements will also help us meet FSIS humane handling rules and improve workplace safety.

To improve our packaging capacity and to ensure FSIS uniform labeling compliance, we propose adding a 

roll stock machine. This will improve our processing and packaging efficiency by 30 percent, resulting in 

a savings of 5,184-man hours during the grant period. 

Other food safety and FSIS compliance efforts in this project are the additions of a bandsaw and a mixermincer. The band saw will ensure rigorous FSIS compliance regarding BSE and the 30-month rule by 
separating workload between 2 bandsaws. The mixer-mincer will reduce processing times, keep food 

temperatures lower, and reduce food handling touchpoints. 

We expect these projects to contribute ~$7.7 million to the local economy during the grant period, 

increase total capacity by 31.2 percent, and create 10 jobs. These projects will also increase food 

security for nearby Native American reservations who will be able to use our services for traditional and 

culturally important processing services

Recipient: Big Sandy Meat Shop, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project: $200,000

Meat slaughter and processing facility improvements to seek federal Grant of Inspection 

This project is one of the final steps in our progress towards applying for a Federal Grant of Inspection. It 

has been our intention from the beginning to seek Grant of Inspection, and we have completed several 

upgrades and improvements to the plant since purchasing it in 2019. Since reopening the plant, we have 

had 20+ producers and processors come to us looking for Value Added processing services (fresh and 

further processed) and are waiting for us to acquire Grant of Inspection. These producers and 

processors include wholesale markets, direct sales producers, and those taking product out of our 

service area, and across state lines. We also have a retail store (Hi-Line Packing) where these locally 

produced products can also be marketed. Our current Smoke house does not have the capacity to 

consistently and efficiently produce further processed products (under a Federal Grant of Inspection) for 

our existing customers, much less the requests we have received. 

This project will allow us to provide Value-Added processing services for our local producers that have 

no way of having their animals processed due to the lack of USDA inspected processing plants. With the 

addition of a new, more modern and much more technically advanced smoke house and the Mado 

grinder (improved production and product quality) we will be able to meet USDA requirements for 

inspection much easier and in a considerable shorter time. consistently and efficiently produce further 

processed products (under a Federal Grant of Inspection) for our existing customers, much less the 

requests we have received.

Recipient: BMB Ventures, LLC dba Rawhide Meats 

Award Amount: $194,753

Total Project Amount: $194,753

Rawhide Meats grant application for Meat Readiness 

Rawhide Meats will use the USDA grant to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection under FMIA. We will 

accomplish this by 1) upgrading equipment that will meet FMIA requirements, 2) improving current 

SSOPs and HACCP plans that will align with FMIA requirements and educating employees in safe meat 

handling practices, and 3) improving capacity to better serve the local communities for both livestock 

producers and retail customers. Rawhide Meats is a small, state inspected slaughter and meat 

processing facility located in Meagher County, Montana. The facility employees 11 people and provides 

meat processing services to Meagher County, population 1800 people, and the surrounding counties of 

Broadwater, Park, and Musselshell. There are limited meat processing facilities available for the small, 
family-owned farms that raise livestock here. Equipment upgrades include a FMIA compliant smoker, 

scales with label printing capability, and water activity meter. All employees will be trained on new 

equipment, processes, and safety procedures to ensure that the plant can obtain and maintain a Federal 

Grant of Inspection. The purchase of the smoker, mixer, grinder, tumbler, tenderizer, and vacuum 

packers will provide increased capacity to increase production. Retail services will be improved with the 

purchase of a merchandizing cooler and freezer. The resulting increased capacity will enable us to meet 

the growing demand of both livestock producers and customer demand in retail markets. These 

improvements will provide the capability and capacity to increase production from 24 animals to 36 

animals per week.

Recipient: Hollenbeck Holdings LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Upgrading Hollenbeck Holdings Facilities to Reach USDA-Inspection Readiness and Revitalize a 

Rural Montana Economy 

Hollenbeck Holdings LLC is the owner of a facility that houses a fully functional slaughter and processing 

facility in rural Montana. Our facility is 4,500 sq. ft. and has the capacity to slaughter 40 beef per day and 

cool 15 per week. Daily processing capacity at the Hollenbeck Holdings facility is 10 per day and our 

freezer space accommodates 30 head per week. The facility was purchased from a prior owning 

company but needs substantial upgrades before it could receive a Federal grant of inspection.

To fix this problem and make Hollenbeck Holdings LLC the only USDA plant within several hundred miles 

in Montana, this proposal includes adding a kill chute to meet FSIS humane handling requirements and 

increase throughput by 400 percent. We also propose remodeling our kill floor with adequate flooring to 

meet FSIS standards and improve sanitation. To ensure that our cold storage capacity is temperature 

stable, food safe, and capable of handling quadruple its current volume, we propose remodeling 288 sq. 

ft. of freezer flooring and space in addition to adding a flash freezer. Drain upgrades are the final facet of 

the remodel and will ensure stricter environmental compliance.

Altogether, this project will support 20 local jobs and facilitate the creation of at least $10 million in 

economic activity related to meat processing during the grant period alone. This grant project will also 

result in 4,032,000 pounds of meat processed during the grant period alone.

Recipient: S Ranch Meats LLC

Award Amount: $181,000

Total Project Amount: $181,000 

Increasing efficiency, safety and capacity for meat-processing facility seeking Federal Grant of 

Inspection 

S Ranch Meats, LLC, (“S Ranch Meats”) is seeking a Planning for a Federal Grant of Inspection (PFGI) 

grant with the goal of becoming USDA certified. S Ranch Meats is a small, family-owned, beef-processing 

plant located in a rural area on the Crow Indian Reservation. S Ranch Meats’ location provides access to 

a slaughter facility for local livestock producers and beef for consumers in a historically underserved 
area. In addition to preparing for and obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection, S Ranch Meats will use 

grant funds to purchase and install a cooling system for its meat cutting floor and offal room. Currently, 

staff has to take mid-shift breaks to place product prepared on the cutting floor in freezers due to the 

uncontrolled temperature of the rooms. By installing a cooling system, staff will be able to increase their 

efficiency and product capacity by eliminating mid-shift breaks because the temperature in the room 

will be controlled and constant. Cooling the cutting room floor and offal room will also serve to increase 

product safety in compliance with federal standards by ensuring the temperature of the cutting floor 

stays cool enough to prevent unsafe bacteria from forming on the meat. S Ranch Meats will also 

purchase mechanized packaging equipment (a “roll-stock”) to package meat professionally, safely and 

efficiently in plastic as opposed to wrapping product by hand.

Nebraska

Recipient: H&R, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Improvements required to obtain Grant of Federal Inspection 

The Franklin Locker will be adding approximately 3000 sq. ft. to the current 4500 sq. ft. facility as we 

move to operate under Federal Inspection. Approximately 800 sq. ft. will be used as a hanging cooler 

where we will dry age beef. A new steel rail system will allow us to hang more than double the current 

number of beefs we hold. The remaining space will be used to house a new 25x25 freezer, more 

operating space, and office for our USDA inspector. The additional operating space will be where our 

smokehouses are located along with a small packaging area. The larger space and expanded operations 

will require additional manpower. To fulfill this need, we will hire 4-6 full time employees.

Recipient: Meat & Complete LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expansion of Meat & Complete Processing Facility to Obtain a Federal Grant Inspection 

Meat & Complete LLC is on a mission to completely feed the world through the invention of a complete 

meal bar contain meat, fruit and a vegetable all in one fully cooked convenient handheld bar. The 

applicant is seeking to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection for expansion to increase capacity through 

size and scope of operation and efficiency by upgrading equipment allowing for more cost effective 

production, tie into existing health markets and develop new markets for full meals with complete 

nutrition, better meet consumer demand by having product in other retail outlets and available 

throughout the US, have a larger facility with improvements to food safety standards, obtain a larger 

commercial presence which directly impacts suppliers and producers and those looking for more 

nutritious options, and impacting underserved communities. The applicant is a new woman-owned 

business and has been utilizing a facility with a shared space to process and manufacture meat products. 

The current facility is in Nenzel, Nebraska population 20. The expected outcome is to utilize a new 

facility with a larger capacity to be able to expand the company and help provide healthy meat products 

to a larger group of people than are currently being served. 
Recipient: Ace & Ida 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Ord Locker Pursuance of Federal Inspection Project 

Ace & Ida dba Ord Locker is a custom exempt retail, slaughter and processing facility in Ord, NE. Ord 

Locker expanded into a larger, more efficient facility in 2020. To expand and further serve a larger

customer base, an open new market, federal inspection is the next step to pursue. Several local 

producers and customers need federal inspection services to fulfill market gaps through their livestock 

production and slaughter opportunities. As an active member of the Nebraska Association of Meat

Processors, the struggle of small processors is to effectively handle the slaughter capacity necessary 

when large packing plants experience shortfalls. Through federal inspection and potentially higher 

revenues from additional services offered, Ord Locker will be able to open up new markets by utilizing 

the local retail store market presence to advertise and move product volumes more effectively.

New Hampshire

Recipient: Short Creek Farms LLC 

Award Amount: $199,909

Total Project Amount: $199,909

Short Creek Farm Processing Facility Expansion and Transition to Federal Inspection 

Short Creek Farm is a small livestock producer focused on manufacturing high-quality value-added 

meats from the pork and beef raised on its farm. Sausages are currently produced in Short Creek’s own 

retail-exempt processing facility while fresh cuts and other value-added products are produced under 

contract (i.e., “co-packed”) by USDA processors. With the planned expansion of its facility to a 6,000 sqft USDA-inspected plant, Short Creek’s operations will grow to encompass all aspects of meat processing 

from butchering to sausage, bacon, and salami production. Short Creek is requesting $199,909 in Meat 

and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant funds to fulfill part of the requirements to obtain a Federal 

Grant of Inspection. MPIRG support will be used to (1) outfit the expanded facility areas with sanitation 

equipment; (2) improve meat processing and manufacturing equipment; and (3) obtain process 

monitoring equipment necessary for the broader scope of processing activities. Project outcomes will 

benefit both Short Creek and other regional stakeholders. By performing all butchering in-house, Short 

Creek will substantially increase its processing capacity and achieve economies of scale as production 

volumes grow. Eliminating high cut-and-wrap and co-packing fees for butchery and other processing 

services will translate to increased profits for the company. USDA inspection will allow Short Creek to 

begin distributing sausage products to its existing wholesale customers and to acquire new customers in 

an expanded distribution area. Federal inspection will also permit Short Creek to offer co-packing 

services of its own, benefitting local livestock and poultry producers in need of high-quality value-added 

processing.
New Jersey

Recipient: Lima Family Farms

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Improving the capacity and resiliency of the Lima Family Farms to obtain a Federal Grant of 

Inspection for expanded slaughter facilities that would permit us to process all of the animals 

raised on the farm 

Lima Family Farms owns and operates a 350 Acre Farm in Hillsborough, New Jersey, where we raise 

100% grass fed beef, as well as pastured pigs and poultry. We slaughter and process our own chickens 

on the farm and send six head of cattle and 10 hogs every month to a USDA inspected facility in 

Pennsylvania for slaughter (Springfield Meats) and then send the 1/4s to Nellos Speciality Meats in 

Nazareth, PA for processing. We sell our meats to retail customers at our Farm Market at 826 Amwell 

Road in Hillsborough, NJ and the weekly Princeton Farmers Market. When large meat processing 

facilities closed due to Covid in 2020, the local Shop Rite told their customers that they were limited to 1 

pound of beef. We received a good deal more customers at our store and were shortly out of inventory. 

We quickly learned that while we had plenty of inventory “on the hoof” there was no way to get new 

appointments for USDA approved slaughter and processing in the region Applying existing best 

practices; This grant aims to apply lessons learned through the Niche’ Meat Processor Alliance and 

Rutgers Department of Food Science to expand the Lima Family Farms existing poultry facilities by 

adding the capability to slaughter and process pork and beef for retail sale at our market. This would 

improve our capacity to efficiently meet consumer demand and create a more resilient local food 

supply. Processing our own animals on site will reduce their stress as well as our costs with 

transportation. We will use existing documents on general plant design considerations as well as model 

HACCP plans and SSOPs to develop construction documents that will fit an approximately 2500 square 

foot facility into one of our farms existing buildings. These plans can be shared with others looking to 

develop affordable small on-site facilities. Our total projected budget will be approximately $250,000.

New Mexico

Recipient: C4 Enteprises Inc. 

Award Amount: $198,000

Total Project Amount: $198,000

C4 Enterprises Inc. initiative to obtain a federal grant of inspection and increase meat processing 

capacity for direct to consumer livestock producers 

C4 Enterprises, Inc. is requesting $198,000 to purchase equipment to increase the capacity and the 

efficiency for slaughtering, processing, packaging, and labeling meat raised in a rural, predominately 

Hispanic community in northern New Mexico. The requested funds will allow C4 Enterprises, Inc. a 

small, family-owned business, to increase its processing capacity and efficiency, and provide value 

added production services for local direct to consumer livestock producers who currently drive 200 

miles to get their meat slaughtered and fully processed under federal inspection. Packaging and labeling 

is our limiting factor for increasing processing capacity. Our facility needs an advanced packaging and 

labeling system in order to meet the increased processing demand federal inspection will provide.
A commercial smokehouse is needed to comply with USDA and FDA meat processing regulation. The

smokehouse will be used to produce value added, ready to eat, meat products such as jerky, jerky sticks, 

cured and uncured sausages, and deli meats. These meats will be produced for local direct to consumer

producers as well as for C4 Enterprises, Inc. own branded meat products for local/regional distribution.

Federal inspection along with the proper equipment will allow production capacity to increase 400%. 

Providing opportunities for employment in an impoverished rural area. Opportunities for direct to 

consumer livestock producers to become more efficient in getting meat to the consumer. As well as 

opportunities for livestock producers who do not engage in direct to consumer production to produce 

for a local/regional branded and distributed meat program.

Recipient: MGS Enterprises 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expand and update equipment to better serve local clients 

MGS Enterprises will expand existing plant to better serve local clients and allow livestock producers the 

opportunity to better market their domestic livestock. This will allow us to employ up to ten (10) new 

full-time employees. MGS will provide training for a local technical high school to train new workers for 

the meat industry. MGS will be able to supply local restaurants and schools with quality, locally sourced 

animal protein. MGS will market specialty meats and sausages, e.g., jerky, bratwurst, and other meat 

products. MGS is a small, family-owned meat processing facility that processes beef, pork, lamb, and 

goat. We started our business in 1991 in our remolded garage and processed wild game. We eventually 

moved to processing domestic animals. In 2006, we built a 3000 sq. ft. facility with slaughter capability 

and a cooler that can hold up to 50 beef. In 2008, we added more processing and storage square 

footage. We currently service the Four Corners area of NM, CO, AZ, and UT. 

New York

Recipient: D+D Meats

Award Amount: $199,975. 98

Total Project Amount: $199,975. 98

Making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to obtain a 

Federal Grant of Inspection 

D&D Meats employs 7 staff and operates/manufactures under a 20C New York state license. 

Slaughterhouse practices are USDA custom-exempt (i.e. cannot slaughter/process livestock for 

downstream meat sales). Standard processing loads are at~ 10-12 animals/week, and the business 

manufactures a wide variety of food products. Goods are presently sold direct-to-consumer per current 

licensing restrictions. D&D Meats is the only facility available to offer slaughter and meat processing 

services to the local agriculture industry. Presently, regional meat producers must travel several hours to 

have their livestock processed. 

This project will allow D&D Meats to process and manufacture specialty products under new USDA 

inspection licensing. As a USDA-inspected facility, D&D Meats will be poised to initiate meat sales of 
locally purveyed and inhouse slaughter /processed retail cuts from the store to onsite customers as well 

as sales across the country.

Facility Needs: Purchase more efficient slaughterhouse facility equipment pieces to improve production 

capacity of D&D Meats' meat operations; expand services to meet the demands of current consumers 

and livestock producers; and increase business sales footprint. New equipment will improve efficiency 

and allow employee reallocation to different aspects of the processing plant.

Expected Outcomes: Updating D&D Meats slaughterhouse to USDA-inspected; expanding operational 

capacity with new equipment; and sale of local in-house inspected livestock direct to customers as retail 

cuts. This investment will benefit not only D&D Meats' business prospects, but also the regions' livestock 

producers via access to processing, packaging, and markets for their meat production pipelines.

Recipient: Van Galder Family Farms

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expansion of a Custom Exempt Processing plant to a Federally inspected Processing Plant for 

beef, pigs, lambs, and poultry 

We are a small, recent (2012) start-up family-run business working to expand our processing plant by 

adding on approximately 2,500 square feet. We are operating in an area in high demand for not only 

custom, but federally inspected processing plants. This need, in our rural, under-served region, has been 

documented by agriculture specialists. We will be upgrading equipment to increase capacity, efficiency 

and working to be more energy efficient. New equipment we will be purchasing will be a stuffing 

machine for making value added products, refrigeration components for walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer, 

and cutting room, on-demand water heater, electric chain hoists, new mixer/grinder, new and larger 

bowl cutter, new scales for overhead track and a back-up generator to ensure food safety in times of 

power grid failures. All the new equipment will allow us to produce meat products in a more energy 

efficient way; and will increase meat production capacity allowing us to expand our existing market, 

increase our food safety standards, obtain a larger commercial presence, and increase 

slaughter/processing needs for small farms, new farms, socially disadvantaged producers, veteran 

producers, and under-served communities. We will be employing several full-time employees and 

several part-time employees. We have demonstrated needs that will allow us to expand our market, 

within New York State and our contiguous States. We have and continue to invest our own capital into 

this business by finishing site work for future building and purchasing equipment to cover the costs 

above and beyond the grant ceiling.
Recipient: Church Communities NY Inc.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Equipment modernization to improve safety, quality and efficiency in order to apply for grant of 

inspection 

Our mid-Hudson Valley facility was built in 2001 and while minor renovations and equipment purchases 

have been feasible over the last two decades, we have been constrained by the funding necessary to get 

our plant USDA inspected and certified in or order to realize revenue from the sale of our products to 

our community. Our goal is to modernize our plant in alignment with cutting edge food safety and 

quality techniques, technology, and equipment in order to generate a sustainable revenue source.

We intend to purchase several pieces of equipment including a labeling system, double clipper, bowl 

chopper and grinder. These items will allow us to increase capacity, control labor and operate more 

efficiently and safely while maintaining quality and consistency.

Our plant is at maximum capacity with current equipment. We process nearly 300,000 lbs of beef, 

chicken, and pork annually to feed over 2,000 church members through our own dining facilities. This 

project will allow us to safely increase our capacity and sell our fine products to local consumers. This 

will provide us with a revenue stream to continue our good work in conjunction with local farmers, food 

banks, and other private and commercial clients throughout the Hudson Valley.

Recipient: Hitching Post Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Hitching Post Meats Federal Grant of Inspection Planning for Supply Chain in Rural New York 

The purpose of this project is to meet the demand of livestock producers in southwestern New York and 

northwestern Pennsylvania for a USDA inspected meat processing facility by expanding Hitching Post 

Meats and obtaining a Federal Grant of Inspection. Our current customer base includes livestock 

producers and a retail meat shop who have expressed an interest in a federally inspected facility closer 

to their operations to reduce travel time and costs, and to alleviate the bottleneck in availability of 

existing facilities closest to our area for slaughter and processing. By making structural improvements to 

2,000 sq. ft. of our existing building, hiring consultants to develop a HACCP plan and Sanitation SOP, 

expanding capacity of our coolers and freezers, expanding the septic system capacity, providing office 

space for inspectors, ensuring separation of custom exempt processing from the inspected facility, and 

expanding our workforce to employ at least 2 butchers, 4 meat cutters, and 2 meat wrappers, we would 

have the ability to meet some of the demand in rural western New York. The improvements would 

support the local economy by providing stable employment and marketing of local meats that are 

processed, packaged, and distributed with pride.
North Dakota

Recipient: Spruce Hill Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Spruce Hill Meats - Meat & Poultry Readiness Grant: Spruce Hill Meats strives to maximize 

capacity of its facility and expand service offerings as a federally inspected facility 

Spruce Hill Meats, after being established in 2020, has spent the last 10 months renovating and 

modernizing its facility in an effort to become a federally-inspected meat processing facility. With 

funding from the Meat & Poultry Readiness Grant, Spruce Hill Meats strives to meet the maximum 

capacity of its facility and expand its business to include retail and wholesale offerings as a federallyinspected facility.

The final stages of this endeavor include: the modernization of meat smoking equipment and the 

addition of a meat smoking room; the upgrade of key equipment necessary for safety, efficiency, and 

quality, including a vacuum tumbler and carcass splitting saw; the addition of a table top vacuum 

packaging machine to improve packaging and labelling; the installation of a service scale featuring 

operator and customer displays as well as a digital point of sale system to establish retail sale 

capabilities and improve customer experiences; the addition of up to four new full-time positions; and 

finally, the hiring of a consultant to train employees and develop protocols to meet federal inspection 

requirements. 

With these improvements, Spruce Hill Meats anticipates a 25% increase in processing capacity as well as 

a 50% increase in staff, from 8 full-time employees to up to 12. By becoming a federally-inspected 

facility, expanding to offer retail and wholesale options, and modernizing equipment, Spruce Hill Meats 

will drastically reduce occupational hazards, raise business revenue, improve customer experiences, 

expand service and product offerings, and increase meat processing capacity to better serve local 

agricultural producers and communities.

Recipient: Lakeside Meats, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Lakeside Meats LLC – Equipment upgrades and building repairs to meet CIS compliance 

Four farm families formed Lakeside Meats, LLC in March 2021 to purchase a meat processing plant in 

Devils Lake, ND for the purpose of securing processing capacity for their own livestock production and to 

vertically integrate, creating market power by being able to establish the price for their processing 

and/or retail products.

MPIRG funding is needed to purchase equipment and make needed repairs to the building in order for 

Lakeside Meats to accomplish its goal of becoming a Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) compliant 

facility. The new equipment will also increase production capacity and create a more efficient operation. 

Two employees will be added because of this project.
Increase production capacity will allow Lakeside Meats to offer fee-based meat processing services to 

more small farms and ranches. The growing farm to table movement has created a demand from 

consumers who want to know who is raising their food and that are willing to pay a premium price for a 

high-quality product. The four owner families are personally in the livestock business and are committed 

to raising exceptional product. They see an opportunity for Retail and wholesale sales of their 

unprocessed product to be expanded. New meat products will be developed and marketed, adding

value to their product. 

Ohio

Recipient: Camden Locker LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Plant improvements at Camden Locker LLC to secure ODA Full Inspection and CIS Compliance 

The purpose of our proposed project:

• Bring our operation under full inspection with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and become 

CIS compliant

• Increase our plant production capacity to the fullest extent possible

• Provide greater service to local farmers and ranchers by offering ODA full inspected/CIS 

compliant processing

• Increase Farm to Table options to local consumers both private and retail sales

Recipient: R&C Packing and Custom Butcher

Award Amount: $199,526.22

Total Project Amount: $199,526.22

R&C Packing and Custom Butcher Cooperative Compliance Grant 

R&C Packing Inc. has been serving the needs of its community in Bidwell, OH since 2004. Owned and 

operated by David J. Jamie and Amy Graham, this custom meat Processing business has operated 

efficiently in its current facility for the past 16 years and in 2021 is finalizing plans to relocate to a newly

constructed state of the art facility in the nearby Dan Evans Industrial Park. R&C Packing seeks to 

improved efficiency by utilizing the funding to purchase equipment and upgrading facilities as needed. 

Currently located on State Route 850 in Bidwell, OH, their plant is a 25-year-old 3600 sq ft custom 

livestock harvest and butcher processing facility. Targeted areas are: labeling, packaging, and general

production such as grinding, forming and blending of meat products. Newer improved equipment will 

allow us to increase production 50-60% with existing staff and square footage. We seek to improve 

meat slaughtering capacity and efficiency and increase the capacity to better meet the consumer and 

producer demands. 
Recipient: Ebel’s Butcher Shop

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Processing room upgrade, increase cooling, processing and slaughter capabilities 

Demand continues to outpace our current facilities capabilities. The slaughter schedule for year 2021, 

2022, and 2023 are currently filled and currently scheduling 2024. To meet the demand from our local 

farmers we need to expand our facility so that we are not limiting their ability to supply meat to their 

markets. We will also be able to apply for the Cooperative Interstate Shipping program. We will convert 

our existing retail space to processing space, increase our hanging cooler space, and upgrade our 

existing equipment.

Recipient: Raney’s Beef Jerky

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Expansion of Raney’s Beef Jerky to Meet Increasing Demand 

Raney’s Beef Jerky is expanding our 384 square foot facility to a proposed 2,884 total square foot 

facility. The expansion would convert existing facility to a cutting, slicing, and marinade room. This room 

would be connected to the expansion by a 10x10 walk through cooler. The cooler would be connected 

to a 2,400 square foot building to include new equipment, increased production space, increased office 

space for inspectors, restrooms and locker area for employees, two dehydration rooms to allow for 

increased production and fu additional flavors and package sizes, a room to make ground beef from 

trimmings to reduce waste, two packaging rooms to keep flavors separate for allergen concerns, and a 

laundry facility. Raney’s Beef Jerky will purchase additional and new packaging for increased production 

volume and new flavors and retail displays. The funds will also cover land excavation prior to building 

and an asphalt parking area and walk-way. Raney’s Beef Jerky is at max output/compacity with our 

current space and equipment. We cannot handle the demand of more retail locations until an expansion 

is complete. The project outcome will be increased production from 1,000 packages per week to 4,800 

packages per week. This will allow revenue, employment, and retail presence growth, while maintaining 

Raney’s Beef Jerky’s commitment to strong inspection and food safety standards.

Oklahoma

Recipient: Watson Farms Meat Processing & Market, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Strengthening Infrastructure at Watson Farms to Promote USDA-Inspection Readiness and Food 

Access on Tribal Lands 

Watson Farms Meat Processing & Market is a slaughter, processing, and meat retail operation located in 

Council Hill, Oklahoma, a rural food desert that borders the Chickasaw Nation. We offer state-inspected 

and custom slaughter and processing services to over 1,800 ranchers annually. Council Hill is a ranching 

community, but the closest processor is 90 minutes away. This grant proposal will help boost local and 

regional processing capacity for USDA inspected slaughter and processing around Southeast Oklahoma, 
Arkansas, and Kansas. To earn a USDA grant of inspection, we will add on an 1,800 sq. ft. expansion for 

processing, cooler, storage, smokehouse and break area to meet inspection requirements. In this area, 

we will add a smokehouse, container freezer, and band saw. Additionally, we plan to upgrade and 

expand our slaughter area and increase its ceiling height to 18 ft. for USDA compliance. We will also add 

a loading dock to fulfill orders placed by the Chickasaw Nation and wholesale customers. These projects 

will increase meat access for the Chickasaw Nation, which will purchase approximately 10 processed 

beef per week once we are USDA inspected. The equipment and facility improvements will increase our 

livestock processing capacity by approximately 8 beef-cattle per week equivalent. Facility improvements 

and storage expansion will reduce trim waste by 3,120 pounds annually and increase retail sales by up 

to 1,900 percent during the grant period. At least 200 new farmers will have access to processing for 

their livestock as a result of this grant project.

Recipient: Granite Industries LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Modernizing Equipment and Infrastructure at Granite Industries to Reach USDA-Inspected Status 

Granite Industries is a custom exempt meat slaughter and processing facility in the rural town of Chelse, 

OK. We process animals sourced from over 700 unique farmers from a 150-mile radius. WE take pride in 

ethical production and processing, always adhering to animal welfare and environmental protocols. 

While we have seen double digit growth in the past year, our facility lacks the means to make several 

key upgrades to the equipment and infrastructure we need to become USDA inspected, grow our scale, 

and take advantage of interstate commerce opportunities. To fix this, we propose in this project adding 

a 640 sq. ft. addition to our facility to offer inspector office space and new retail area to provide 

additional processing space. We also propose adding a walk-in freezer. This will help us become USDA 

inspected, has food safety benefits, and will expand our cold storage by 25%.

Oregon

Recipient: Champoeg Creek Farm LLC

Award Amount: $199,884

Total Project Amount: $199,584

Champoeg Creek Farm’s Proposal for Federal Poultry Inspection Readiness 

Champoeg Creek Farm is a small, rural poultry farm in Oregon that operates a state inspected processing 

facility on site. Our focus since opening our plant in 2016 has been to provide pasture raised poultry 

(with a primary focus on turkey) to both retail and wholesale buyers. We provide a special product that 

can’t be replicated by large, centralized processing because of the unique manner that we raise our 

poultry. We have forged strong relationships with key wholesale buyers over the last 5 years but we are 

currently only able to provide their Oregon poultry needs. These 5-7 companies all operate locations in 

both Oregon and Washington, so our project purpose is to become federal inspection ready in order to 

supply their interstate needs. This would greatly increase our current production and sales in turkey 

alone. This increased plant throughput and revenue would be a big boost to our plant and open other 
doors for higher volume because it would allow us to purchase more efficient equipment and offer 

steady, full-time employment for 8–10 workers year-round. In order to become USDA inspection ready, 

we have to make necessary improvements to our plant to have the ability to operate and maintain in a 

manner sufficient to prevent the creation of insanitary conditions and to ensure that product is not 

adulterated. This will be done through development of HAACP plans, more robust SSOP, physical 

improvements to the plant, processing equipment, walls, ceilings as well as floors and drains.

Recipient: BillyBob’s Butcher Shop LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

BillyBob’s New Federal Grant of Inspection for Bovine and Porcine Processing 

BillyBob’s Butcher Shop LLC is a small state inspected processing plant catering to the needs of small 

farmers and ranchers in the economically depressed rural Northeast Oregon Area. Once we get the GOI 

it will allow us to greatly expand our staff and processing efficiencies and output. 

Recipient: Big Horn Meat Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Big Horn Meat Inc. facility upgrade to achieve compliance for federal inspection approval 

In order to become eligible for federal inspection, we need to upgrade our current facility. Upgrades 

include increasing slaughter floor capacity and efficiency, installing appropriate cooling systems to 

regulate proper temperatures in the coolers and freezers, establishing and implementing a HACCP plan, 

and improving our current label system to be compliant with USDA regulations.

Big Horn Meat Inc., dba H & K Meats is a small multiple-species harvest and processing plant that 

provides processing services to livestock producers for individual customers. We have a custom exempt 

and retail exempt facility. The species and number of animals processed per week average 16 beef per 

week and 15 hogs per week. We have 12-15 full time employees depending on the time of year. Our 

plant is located in Jefferson, OR, just south of Salem, OR in rural Marion County, off I-5 the main 

interstate highway. Our current operation is housed in a 5800 square foot building with a water well and 

a septic system for wastewater treatment.

By refurbishing the slaughter floor, we will be able to increase our efficiency and thus be able to harvest 

more animals along with harvesting more animals we will need to increase cooler capacities to hold the 

extra animals until processing. Upgrading our HVAC and cooler systems we give us the ability to record 

and maintain accurate aging and cooling temperatures for proper storage of products. A new labeling 

system will provide improved package tracking and traceability due to more information which will be 

on the label. Lastly, implementing a HACCP plan will help to streamline production, promote quality, and 

ensure food safety. These upgrades and modifications will provide a basis for new revenue and growth. 

We project an increase in our production by approximately 30%.
Pennsylvania

Recipient: Country Farm Meats

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Meat Processing and Storage Facility Improvements for Federal Meat Inspection: Country View 

Meats, Northampton County, Pennsylvania 

Country View Meats (CVM), Northampton County, Pennsylvania, a small husband and wife owned and 

operated processing plant located on the well-established 60 acre Country View hog farm, will become a 

USDA inspected and compliant plant by modernizing the facility. There is limited access to and high 

demand for a local USDA inspected and compliant plant in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. The 

nearest of three (3) Northampton County USDA inspected processing facilities is 14 miles away and the 

County has 459 farms of which 23% of agricultural sales are meat products. Our improved USDA 

inspected facility will be of great value to many neighboring farms. In addition, there is greatly increased 

consumer demand for meat products. Modernization will double CVM’s monthly production, increase 

value-added products for retailers and consumers, and allow sales at local retail venues, online and 

through existing customer databases. Currently, the operating facility only allows for custom processing 

and retail exempt cuts to local customers sold direct from the farm. Improvements will expand the 

current butcher shop with: a walk-in freezer for a larger inventory of meat, a divided cooler to 

accommodate both eggs and meat product storage, associated required electrical upgrades, new 

processing equipment and a separate USDA inspector’s office. This benefits Country View Meats and 

Farm, the neighboring farming community, retailers and consumers and will scale up to add new 

employees. Meat processing productivity will rise across Countywide. CVM will undertake all necessary 

applications, inspections and preparations to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection within three years.

Rhode Island

Recipient: Pat’s Pastured 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Pat's Pastured Meat & Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant 2021 

Purpose:

• Expand ability to sell our products across state lines with USDA inspection. 

• Slaughter and cut poultry and cut only pork and beef (slaughtered at another USDA plant) 

• Increase products offered by our plant 

• Improve operational efficiency by improving equipment, plant processing flow and storage 

• Constantly improve food safety through strong HACCP plans, SSOP and plant training. 

• Decrease cost of production thus increasing the gross margin of meat and poultry products 

• Protect economic viability due to closures of regional USDA meat processing plants facility needs 

• Increase capacity to value-add products by purchasing a grinder, sausage stuffer/linker and band 

saw. 

• Increase storage capacity for refrigerated/frozen customer ready products 

• Increase storage capacity for whole animal and primal carcasses 
• Separate room for cutting, grinding and packaging/labeling 

• Expand HACCP plans and SSOPs to meet requirement for grant of inspection 

• Upgrade electricity to serve the increased equipment and 3 phase power required 

• Upgrade water heating capacity for poultry processing and sanitation practices.

• Improved processing equipment for more efficient poultry slaughtering/cutting and pork/beef 

cutting 

• Increase wastewater storage through installation of an additional larger tank 

Expected outcomes 

• Achieve USDA Grant of Inspection 

• Continue to provide high levels of food safety 

• Increase products offered to customers 

• Increase wholesale accounts currently limited by selling retail exempt. 

• Expand poultry production beyond 20,000 bird and sell across state lines 

• Improve efficiency of processing therefore increasing the profitability of processing operation 

• Provide year-round work opportunities for staff 

• Increase local food production/processing sources thus strengthening food security 

• Financially support local farmers by purchasing animals for processing and distribution 

South Carolina

Recipient: PF Meats Holding Company

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Obtaining a federal grant of inspection and expanding capacity of an existing slaughterhouse and 

processing facility 

The mission of PF Meats is to strengthen the local agricultural communities by providing one of the 

resources desperately needed to advance the production and sale of sustainably raised meats from local 

farmers. The purpose of this project is to expand/update a small, state inspected facility into a larger, 

federally inspected plant that will increase affordable access to farmers. The facility needs to expand 

from its current capacity of a maximum of 10 cows and 15 pigs per week to at least 50 cows and 70 pigs 

per week. With this award, we can expect to become the only federally inspected facility in a six-county 

area. By increasing processing capacity by four times. The expansion is also expected to reduce the 

current 12 month waiting period for processing to a maximum of three months, allowing farmers to 

better plan harvest of their animals coordinating maturation and readiness for harvest with actual 

slaughter. 
Recipient: Cordray’s Venison Processing, Inc

Award Amount: $199,579

Total Project Amount: $199,579

Embracing Federal Inspection and Increasing Capacity and Efficiency of Cattle Processing at 

Cordray's Processing 

Cordray’s Venison Processing is embracing Federal Inspection for its rural SC processing plant through 

the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant. With the award of this grant, beef farmers in the 

coastal area of SC and GA will have access to USDA approved slaughter, processing, and labeling to 

enable them to open new markets for interstate shipping. The award of this grant includes funds for 

facility improvements which will increase processing capacity and efficiency and, thus, overall 

production capability at Cordray’s. Small farmers in our area need more slaughter access. This award will 

allow an 25% increase in the number of cattle processed yearly and decrease the carcass processing 

time. As a result, small beef cattle producers, including Cordray’s, will increase their production of 

quality farm raised beef. With the increased access to local slaughter and processing, new farmers and 

ranchers will be encouraged to enter Cordray’s Processing is a small processing and slaughter plant that 

provides fee-based processing services to livestock producers and wild game hunters, as well as 

processes and markets our family farm raised beef in our on-farm store. Products include not only retail 

and wholesale custom cuts but also value-added products such as smoked hams, bacon, summer 

sausage, snack sticks and dozens more custom-made products. The species and number of animals 

processed is determined by the season. In deer season, Aug.15 to Jan. 1 we will process a weekly 

average of 200 whitetail deer, and 25 wild pigs per week. For a month in late September and early 

October we will additionally process about 30 alligators per week. Because of space and facilities 

restrictions, we do not process cattle, either our own or others, during deer season. We continue to 

produce value added products like hams and bacon under state inspection. From January to early 

August, we concentrate on cattle processing with an occasional lamb or goat for local farmers. In 2021 

we processed an average of 7 cattle per week. Our 12 full time employees work year-round and make 

up our full-time beef processing crew. In deer season we have the food production arena. The impact of 

this grant award will revitalize beef production in our area and will be evident as Farmer’s Markets and 

retail customers will have increased access to farm raised local beef. The recent food insecurities, 

shortages, and recalls of 2020-2021 have shaken consumer confidence and intensified the demand for 

reliable sources of local beef. This partnership forged with the USDA, local farmers and ranchers, and 

Cordray’s Processing will have a long-lasting impact in our community as family farms continue to 

reclaim their vital niche in the food production network.

South Dakota

Recipient: One Spirit

Award Amount: $197,209

Total Project Amount: $197,209

Charging Buffalo Expansion - Making facility improvements and carrying out other planning 

activities necessary to obtain a certification for Cooperative Interstate Shipment

This project expands the structural footprint of the existing operational Charging Buffalo meat 

processing facility. The expansion allows the facility to add the equipment, upgrade the support services 

and revise product production flow as required to prepare for inspection and certification as a 
Cooperative Interstate Shipping (CIS) Compliant processing plant. Presently, our small, start-up, not-forprofit processor located on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota employs local Lakota workers to 

serve the communities of the indigenous Oglala Lakota Nation under a South Dakota Special Exempt 

Certification. During the recent pandemic, our plant's value as a local source of traditional and 

traditionally processed meat products became apparent to all stake holders: individual consumers, tribal 

authorities, local animal producers, and plant employees. 

The plant's limited physical size, limited storage capabilities and manual product handling limit our 

ability to satisfy existing demands of both our animal suppliers and our consumers. Nor can we 

adequately prepare for a higher level of South Dakota or Federal certification. Without obtaining such 

additional certification, our facility cannot grow from operation as a highly subsidized start-up to the 

financial stability which will enable it to become a sustainable asset to its communities and 

stakeholders. 

Our proposed planning and buildout developed after consultation with industry recognized engineers 

and architects, adds to our physical footprint allowing for the required processing equipment upgrades, 

processing area segregations and product flow redesign. We propose a planning task to develop the 

facility, equipment and personnel in preparation for a full federal certification.

Recipient: Bad River Brand Enterprises, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Bad River Jerky, the quest from retail exempt status to federally inspected status 

Bad River Brand Enterprises, LLC dba Bad River Jerky is a small meat snack processing facility located in 

Chamberlain, South Dakota. We have close to 30 products that we produce and sell at farmer’s markets, 

fairs, shows and rodeos with our retail exemption status. We also have a website at 

www.badriverjerky.com that return customers will visit when they need to restock. There is also a small 

retail area in the processing plant for walk-in customers. Bad River Jerky also employs several people 

within the local area, with hopes to add more to the payroll when we are at federal status. When out on 

the road we have noticed a demand for healthy, protein snacks. Our business is booming, and we 

believe that it will continue in the future. With those thoughts in mind, we would like to apply for 

federal status to give us more options to put our product into the hands of the consumer. Our facility 

would need several updates to get us to specs. We are hoping to add more floor drains and curbs in the 

processing area. With the growing volume of product we would need to produce, we are also looking at 

more equipment.

Recipient: US Beef Producers, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

We are Providing beef processing for local producers to help improve their profits

This grant is very important to help establish better competition in the beef industry. Currently 5 

companies are processing 90% of the beef in the US which has allowed them to push prices down to 

unsustainable amounts for producers. Packers are making more profit in a week on 1 head than the 
producers who raised them all year, Thousands of producers have already been forced out of business. 

If we are allowed to construct the type of facility, we are seeking funding for then we can create a selfsustaining model that can be duplicated in other regions. This could be a model facility that others could 

invest in and be franchised with a successful business model to pattern after. This must be done soon to 

help establish a more competitive industry or it will be too late for many producers.

Recipient: Makoce Agriculture Development Inc. 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Preparing Makoce Agriculture Development’s Mobile Poultry Processing Unit (MPPU) for a 

Federal Grant of Inspection 

Makoce’s Mobile Poultry Processing Unit (MPPU) makes it possible for Makoce to involve the 

community by providing home use opportunities and a market source. The MPPU increases access for 

community members to be involved in the use of a processor so that they can create an added value 

product from the poultry they have raised. Makoce would like to expand access to the 54-foot value 

added MPPU. For sustainable economic growth on Pine Ridge Reservation, we need to invest in 

infrastructure needed to ensure that Makoce’s MPPU meets not only Pine Ridge environmental and 

health requirements but also USDA food safety guidelines. We will need funding to further develop the 

MPPU to meet USDA certification requirements so that we can obtain regional selling ability. We are 

working to have an MPPU which meets federal guidelines and standards for food safety management 

production and processing. Makoce recently received a 14-acre land lease where our permanent farm 

space will be developed. We need to invest into the infrastructure to permanently set up the MPPU on 

this new and long-term site from its current temporary location. This includes water, power, and sewer 

access as well as a concrete foundation. At the end of this grant period, we will be fully prepared for our 

MPPU to pass Federal Inspection. We will have hired a full-time employee to oversee day-to-day 

operations and have engaged the community throughout the process. 

Recipient: Dakota Butcher – Clark Inc.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Dakota Butcher Clark Inc 

We have spent thousands of dollars trying to improve the quality of the building and trying to improve 

the efficiencies of the Clark processing plant. In order to meet the demands of our producers, we would 

like to increase holding pen, cold hanging storage and freezer space. We also would like to improve and 

upgrade our rail system, grinders, and saws. There is a need to upgrade our sanitizing process, which 

would reduce waste and reduce waste going into the city sewer system. We would have building 

equipment and payroll needs to meet these needs and would lead towards CIS compliance.
Tennessee

Recipient: Tennessee Grass Fed, LLC

Award Amount: $196.270

Total Project Amount: $196.270

USDA Grant of Inspection leads to expanded markets for Tennessee Ranchers 

Tennessee Grass Fed, LLC, a farmer-owned company, produces and markets specialty meat in the 

Nashville, Tennessee area. The company launched with the sales of farm-raised grass-fed beef over ten 

years ago. Overtime, TGF's business has expanded. Now, meat from over nine area producers is sold 

under the TGF label. 

The company's growth, however, has been slowed by limited access to slaughter and processing 

capacity. In response, TGF launched their own on-farm cutting facility. Livestock are slaughtered in KY 

and sides/primals are further processed in TGF's facility. The facility recently received Retail Exempt 

Status through the State of Tennessee. This on-farm processing facility fills a void in Middle Tennessee, 

where there is very limited slaughter and further processing capacity. 

Currently, meat from the facility is sold through a variety of consumer-direct market channels, including 

through the farm store and farmers' markets. TGF is pursuing a Federal Grant of Inspection (FMIA) to 

expand the markets for meat processed in its facility. Being USDA Inspected will allow the company to 

enter new markets, including expanding sales through retailers, restaurants, and distributors. 

$196,270 in grant funds are being requested to: a) improve packaging and labeling functionality, 

necessary for compliance with FMIA guidelines, b) expand processing and manufacturing capabilities, 

and c) increase cut room capacity. TGF will use its own funds to finalize food safety programs necessary 

for processing under USDA inspection. TGF hopes to have all projects completed and its Federal Grant of 

Inspection in place by February 1, 2022.

Recipient: Jeff Mason DBA Tennessee Premium Beef 

Award Amount: $200 000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Seeking to obtain a USDA federal grant of inspection for plant in TN 

Renovations to our existing facility including new cooler doors, replacement of 12 x 16 walk-in freezer, 

install concrete slab for a new kill floor with roof, holding pen with roof, floor and lighting, replacement 

or repair of rusted walls, baseboards, bolts, removal of old rusted equipment, seal all doors and walls 

from rodent and pest entry. Install viscera inspection station/area for USDA inspection of heads and 

offal’s with rail steps and lighting. Modernizing processing and manufacturing equipment (including 

cutting equipment i.e. knife sterilization) Sanitation equipment (including 1 single sink and 1 3-

compartment sink, 2 disinfectant boot mats, boot rack, boots for employees). Purchase new aprons, hair 

and beard nets, new fiberglass pans.

Purchase 2 stun guns for humane slaughter, gut buggy, smocks. Purchase desk, chair, smock, file cabinet 

and lock for USDA inspector office. meeting occupational and other safety requirements under 
applicable law i.e. SSOP; accounting for cost associated with becoming an inspected facility (including 

HACCP consultation, training and employee training, technical assistance related to inspection.

Recipient: Pigg Processing

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Modernize and expand existing building and upgrade equipment, to secure more humane 

processing 

As a small family-owned business, Pigg Processing has made every effort to meet EPA and USDA 

guidelines. It is currently a custom meat plant, with 4 employees. Several upgrades have recently been 

installed including a 35’ cooler, new railing system, and new equipment in several areas. The MPRIG will 

enable Pigg Processing to further modernize our existing building, upgrade our manufacturing 

equipment and meet new compliance requirements, securing a more humane way to process the 

animas. Improvements will enable the company to move animals faster through the process, keeping 

them calmer, minimizing the potential for accidents or mishaps. This will be accomplished by installing a 

better septic system, constructing an improved runway system to move animals from one process to

another in a more humane way, and adding additional storage for growth. This will facilitate Pigg 

Processing in providing products to a larger market including local farmers and the community. New 

equipment includes an offal cooler to prevent air pollution as required by the EPA and an industrial 

freezer for more storage space for growth. Humane processing improvements will also be enhanced by 

upgrading the knocking pan, which can be very labor intensive. Upgrading and enlarging the septic tank 

will allow for increased capacity with more storage capabilities. Several construction projects will be 

completed to accommodate the equipment and expansion, including installation of concrete pads for 

the offal cooler and freezer. 

Recipient: The Butcher Shop at Hyde Farms

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Upgrade to USDA approved processing plant. Modernization of processing and manufacturing 

equipment 

The Butcher Shop at Hyde Farms is goal is to provide local farmers access to USDA and Exempt Custom 

slaughter for beef, pork, sheep, and goats. Currently there is not a USDA approved facility on the I-75/ 

Hwy 411 corridor in East Tennessee from the Georgia state line to nearly the Virginia state line. As the 

COVID-19 Pandemic spread through the United States, rural communities in East Tennessee have 

suffered greatly. A massive portion of our local economy hinges on the success of our local farms, which 

are now struggling to provide their goods to the community. Currently there are five processing facilities 

within a 125mile radius of Greenback, TN. Each are booked into the fall of 2022 or no longer taking 

appointments. Unable to keep up with current demands. Only one is USDA approved. USDA approval for 

The Butcher Shop will provide local farmers means to market their animals. In addition to USDA 

processing, adding the necessary office space for inspectors, processing, and packaging equipment is a 

priority of The Butcher Shop plant in order to enhance supply chain and consumer demands
Recipient: ZK Ranches 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

USDA Inspected Beef and Pork Processing for Tennessee 

ZK Ranches LLC is a vertically integrated production, processing and marketing company. The 

Tennessee-based cow/calf operation raises hormone-free, grass finished, and grain finished beef. The 

operation was established in 2012 by Zach Knowles, a sixth-generation cattle rancher with a vision of 

offering a superior-quality product directly to consumers. Zach was joined by his wife, Lyndi AdlerKnowles, in 2018. Lyndi brings not only her management expertise, bachelor's degree in science, but 15+ 

years of horse and cattle ranching experience as well. This husband-and-wife team works together to 

run the daily operations of the ranch and prides themselves on providing customers with a healthy, 

affordable, quality product. In March of 2020 they opened their state-of-the-art retail store and further 

processing facility to further serve their customers. Currently, livestock is slaughtered under USDA 

Inspection at outside facilities. ZK Ranches is seeking grant funding to offset the cost of transitioning to 

USDA Inspected processing and assist with updates to the current facility, including an adding a kill floor. 

This will expand access to slaughter for other local beef and pork producers in the area. Perfectly 

located in the heart of Tennessee and in close proximity to Kentucky, ZK Ranches LLC is well-positioned 

and committed to serving the surrounding communities.

Recipient: Timothy c Fillers

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Stone Mountain Meats Federal Grant of Inspection 

Stone Mountain Meats is a small, state inspected custom slaughter and processing facility. Many of our 

customers desire to market and sell their products as “USDA inspected.” Currently those customers 

must seek this service in other areas (sometimes other states) and must waiting for 12-18 months for 

processing. Stone Mountain Meats desires to offer this service to our local customers by bringing the 

facility into federally inspected compliance. to bring the facility into compliance, restroom facilities and 

office space for federal inspectors are required. Additionally, sawing and grinding equipment must be 

replaced by compliant equipment. These items will be address with funding from this grant. 

Texas

Recipient: Felito’s Finest LLC dba 2F Akaushi Beef 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Felito’s Finest LLC Slaughter and Cold Room Addition 

Felito’s Finest LLC is a family owned and operated working cattle ranch of four generations. Located on 

Rancho Santa Fe in Starr County, Texas, we are an independent, integrated beef producer – we breed, 

raise, feed, process, and distribute high quality wagyu beef under our family’s 2F Akaushi Beef label. The 

Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas has a fast-growing population of consumers and a healthy cattle 

ranching industry comprised of mostly socially disadvantaged producers. Presently, there is no federally 
inspected beef slaughter plant within 500 miles. Consequently, we South Texas ranchers incur 

monumental transportation costs to harvest our steers and provide a consistent supply of beef to our

customers. This project will provide funds to construct a USDA-compliant, federally inspected slaughter 

and cold storage space to be available in the Rio Grande Valley. The construction will be fully equipped 

with a kill floor, a skin room, weigher, rail system, and a chill room with capacity for 20 beef carcasses. 

The facility will be constructed tandem to our existing corrals. Livestock will be rounded up in the 

corrals, harvested in the knockbox, and cleaned in the new facility. Carcasses will be transported one 

short mile through Rancho Santa Fe to our existing processing facility. The addition of the slaughter and 

cold room will allow our family to fully integrate our beef operation and increase our capacity to 

slaughter and process our meat. It will be an extremely valuable, and accessible, option to the 

thousands of local ranchers in South Texas.

Recipient: West Texas Meats, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

West Texas Meats facility and equipment enhancements for federal inspection and greater 

production capacity 

West Texas Meats, LLC located in Seagraves, Texas is seeking $200,000 in MPIRG funds to improve

facility infrastructure and purchase enhanced packaging equipment. Infrastructure improvements 

include electrical retrofit to increase voltage supply to accommodate larger and more efficient 

processing equipment and an application of epoxy coating to the slaughter floor to improve slab in 

preparation for federal inspection. These infrastructure projects are needed to apply and receive federal 

inspection status. Upon federal inspection approval, West Texas Meats plans to purchase a roll of stock 

packager, vacuum filler and color packaging label printer. The aforementioned equipment will enable 

Texas Meats to increase beef slaughtering and processing by 100%. With increased capacity and federal 

inspection status, West Texas Meats seeks to expand services to regional beef producers and add outof-state producers in New Mexico. In addition, West Texas Meats plans to launch online beef product 

retail sale in cooperation with a regional beef producer to sell and ship retail beef to in-state and out-ofstate consumers. West Texas meats is dedicated to serving regional producers and contributing 

positively to the regional food chain. With federal inspection status and increased capacity, West Texas 

Meats can better meet the demand of beef slaughter and processing, reduce the time needed to 

slaughter and process beef, increase the retail beef supply, and broaden co-pack and retail customer 

bases in and out-of-state markets.

Recipient: Dyess Processing, LLC

Award Amount: $199,875

Total Project Amount: $199,875

Dyess Processing Expansion Project 

Dyess Processing Expansion Project will increase the company’s ability to process more beef, pork, deer 

and bison meat in a timely manner, and become a local distributor to retail markets. The current 2,000 

sq ft facility limits the amount of meat processed and the number of employees that can be in the plant 

at the same time. The project will increase the plant by 4,500 sq. ft., add four (4) equipment pieces and 

has the potential to create 7-12 additional full-time jobs. The expansion will allow for partnership with 
Jacksonville College to provide a Certified Meat Cutter program for 1-2 part-team interns, who can then 

be employed at Dyess, other processing plants, and private or retail meat markets. The overall goal is to 

obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection and meet the Federal Meat Inspection Act for retail market and 

shipping.

Recipient: Rail 19

Award Amount: $177,800

Total Project Amount: $177,800

Enhancement of slaughter capacity, processing equipment, employee efficiency, food safety and 

expansion of HACCP plan 

Rail 19 was established in 2017 by current partners. Operations began in 2018 under Texas State Custom 

Exempt Grant and in 2018 Rail 18 was granted Texas State Inspected status. Our rural facility now 

harvests and processes meats for over 30 private label customers. Those private label customers are 

livestock producers who have found an avenue through Rail 19 to sell their meats in markets across the 

state of Texas. The ability to offer our current and potential new customers USDA inspected services 

would allow them access to new markets for their products.

Recipient: B&C Farm LLC

Award Amount: $199,986

Total Project Amount: $199,986

B&C Farm LLC MPIRG Application 

The purpose of our project is tomake necessaryimprovements to acquire Federal Grant of Inspection 

for poultry slaughter and processing, allowing B&C Farm LLC to pursue new markets in wholesale to

retailers and restaurants, as well as expanding into interstate commerce. In addition to new market

opportunities, B&C Farm LLC will be able to offer fee-based poultry slaughter and processing for other

small scale and beginning farms and ranches in our region where there is no access to federally

inspected poultry processing within 200 miles.

Utah

Recipient: Heber Valley Meat

Award Amount: $180,114

Total Project Amount: $180,114

Improve processing efficiency through purchase of rollstock machine, patty making machine, and 

additional small equipment. Improve processing room walls, floor, and ceiling as well as a cooling 

system for USDA inspection 

Heber Valley Meat wishes to obtain a USDA Federal Grant of Inspection to further serve the community, 

ranches, and farmers. To obtain this, additional processing room improvements will be needed. To meet 

the increased demand associated with a federally inspected facility, additional equipment will also be 
purchased. A drop Fiberglass Reinforced Panel (FRP) ceiling, a urethane concrete floor, and cooling for 

the processing room will allow Heber Valley Meat to meet federal inspection standards.

Recipient: Nay’s Meats

Award Amount: $199,975.94

Total Project Amount: $199,975.94

Become Federally Inspected to meet the demands of ranchers and consumers seeking locally 

produced products 

Nay’s Meats is a fifth-generation farm custom slaughter and meat processing facility. We have provided 

a reputable and reliable service for ranchers in this area for the past 71 years. We are currently seeking 

federal grant of inspection (PGI) funding to provide the opportunity for Nay’s Meats to operate under 

federally inspected guidelines. This would help us offer a much-needed service to the ranchers and 

consumers in the region. By doing so we would help regional ranchers by having a facility that is 

federally inspected within proximity to their current operations, which would allow them to market 

directly to consumers. The consumer will benefit by having a direct connection to the rancher, providing 

them the highly sought-after farm to table experience. For Nay’s Meats to become federally inspected 

the facility upgrades would require an enclosed kill floor with modern equipment, expanded coolers and 

freezers to handle additional capacity, and add much needed automated equipment allowing processing 

to be more efficient and economical. By receiving this funding, we would provide reliable jobs to the

local community, give ranchers a modernized facility that can handle their needs, and give consumers a 

better product at a lower price.

Vermont

Recipient: Henry's Market, Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to obtain a 

Federal Grant of Inspection 

Purpose: This project will upgrade and outfit Building 2 to allow Henry's Market to move processing 

operations out of our retail building (approximately 200 feet away) and into Building 2 to expand 

operations capacity and become USDA compliant. 

Facility Needs: Our existing location (Building 1) is beyond maximum capacity and space constraints at 

this location are as such that compliance with USDA is not realistically achievable. Building 2 upgrades 

and outfitting will include structural engineering work, new roofing, water /sewer upgrades, electrical 

upgrades, refrigeration, and processing and smoking equipment purchases and upgrades. In order to 

ensure compliance with regulations and meet anticipated capacity needs, we need to review and update 

our HACCP Plan and improve our labeling and packaging systems. 

Outcome: This investment will allow us to expand our market by selling to wholesale customers, 

restaurants, and retail while also expanding custom processing capacity for local slaughterhouses and 

direct to consumer sales. The investment will also position us to open additional retail stores. We expect 
to hire an additional 4-6 people in our local community and an additional 8-12 for our second retail store 

in Manchester, Vermont. Additional staff will include: processing and packaging employees, retail 

employees, administrative staff, and delivery drivers. 

Before Henry's Market purchased Building 2 in March 2021, it was an abandoned property located in an 

industrial/residential neighborhood in an economically distressed Opportunity Zone and rehabilitation 

of this building will benefit the neighborhood and community.

Recipient: Happy Bird Poultry Farm, LLC

Award Amount: $195,000

Total Project Amount: $195,000

Increase Automation and Square Footage of Poultry Slaughtering/Processing Plant and Market 

Project Purpose: Happy Valley Poultry and Market, located on Isle La Motte, Vermont, hopes to expand 

its current facility (poultry processing as well as small a retail market) to meet the growing demand for 

local poultry, dry aged beef, and grocery staples. Facility Needs: Automation of poultry processing area, 

expanded growing pens, expanded storage for feed and shavings, automatic doors to outside for 

growing pens, HVAC for both the processing area as well as in smoker area, walk-in-cooler and freezer 

for added inventory storage, hydroponic fodder grower, and a dryager for beef products. Expected 

Outcomes: The demand for our products has grown because our market is now the only market in our 

small island community in Lake Champlain, Vermont. We believe that this will continue as we increase 

the ability to process more chicken and offer other products in our market. We have a small community 

of about 500, but this grows during the vacation months and our store, again, is the only place to get 

meats, cheeses, and staples without going off the island.

Virginia

Recipient: Easternview Farms Meat Processing

Award Amount: $175,330

Total Project Amount: $175,330

Easternview Farms Meat Processing Federal Grant of Inspection Readiness 

Easternview Farms Meat Processing (EFMP), a custom exempt meat processor, is requesting a Meat, 

Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant to plan for an obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection. EFMP is seeking

Federal Inspection to meet a very strong and growing demand for locally raised and processed meats. 

EFMP is in Charlotte County in Southern Virginia, where the entire county and numerous surrounding

areas are USDA-designated low income/low food access, and most farms raise cattle and other livestock. 

A Federal Grant of Inspection will allow EFMP and area farmers to sell consumers a variety of local meat 

products in affordable retail quantities. Grant Funds will be used to develop sanitation and HAACP plans, 

expand and enhance harvest and refrigerated storage areas, and upgrade harvest and processing 

equipment. The plans, facility and equipment upgrades are necessary to obtain Federal inspection and 

meet a projected 300% increase in processing volume resulting from Federal inspection. 
Recipient: KC Farms Meats LLC

Award Amount: $148,442

Total Project Amount: $148,442

KC Farms Meats LLC, modernization and federal inspection project 

KC Farms Meats LLC modernization and federal inspection project is focused on achieving federal 

inspection status and to increase the facilities output and diversity. The project achieves its objective by 

adding machinery and facility upgrades to better comply with FSIS standards. At the completion of this 

project KC Farms Meats LLC will be able to offer federally inspected processing for local livestock 

producers that are working to market their products locally. This project results in providing the local 

population with a local supply of federal inspected meat that does not have to be transported in from 

larger conventional meat supply chain sources. KC Farms Meats LLC strives to be an integral part in 

connecting local livestock to local consumers with safe secure source of meat.

Recipient: The Butchers Block VA LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Increase capacity and sustain local farmers in southern Virginia- one cut at a time 

We are seeking funding to upgrade this facility and equipment to obtain a Federal GOI and increase our 

capacity. We will continue to provide custom-exempt meat processing services to livestock producers, 

but this will allow us to provide federally inspected meat processing services. This is a bottle neck in the 

supply chain for local meat producers throughout Southern Virginia. TBB is one of the only meat 

processors in its region, but it is currently only a custom-exempt establishment. According to the USDA 

inspectors that inspected the facility, our facility is outdated and restricted by its limited freezer space, 

limited cooler space, and outdated equipment. The Federal GOI will allow TBB to become the area’s 

foremost meat processor, increase access for local producers, supply of locally produced and processed 

meat, and local community impact (revenue, taxes and jobs.)

Recipient: Lamb, Layman & Dixon LLC

Award Amount: $199,682.48

Total Project Amount: $199,682.48

Double L Meat Processing will make the necessary upgrades to become a federally inspected 

facility 

The purpose of the project is to take Double L. Meat Processing from a custom exempt meat processing 

facility to a federally inspected facility. Our facility needs some upgrades to meet the requirements to 

become a federally inspected facility. We have met with state inspectors and toured the facility to see 

what improvements we need to make. Overall, the building is in good repair. The federal grant will allow 

us to cool the processing room and upgrade the equipment and storage to meet USDA requirements 

and increase our capacity. 
Recipient: Pamplin Poultry, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Transforming Pamplin Poultry's Virginia Exempted poultry poultry processing facility 

Pamplin Poultry, LLC is a family-owned poultry farm, located in Pamplin, Virginia. Owned and operated

by Brad and Carrie Dorris, we raise, process, and market pasture-raised chicken and eggs. We currently 

operate as a State Exempted Poultry Facility. Our focus is to expand access to healthy, clean, reasonably 

priced poultry in our region. Pasture-raising our chickens benefits the birds by allowing a more varied 

diet, reduced exposure to disease caused from confinement, and high levels of activity. Our products, 

which include whole birds, cuts, chicken sausage, and bone broth, are cut, packed, and produced by 

hand, allowing us to maintain cleanliness and quality, week after week. 

As the producers, processors, and marketers, we understand the limitations of time, labor, and financial 

resources. In our fourth season of business, we have found our current limit on production at 5,500 

broilers annually. Looking to the future. we see our growth limited by our access to labor, our current 

facility, and limitations on products we are permitted to produce. These three factors will be addressed, 

if we are able to obtain a Federal Grant of Inspection.

Washington

Recipient: Siebert Custom Slaughter and Meats LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,00

To modernize and expand our existing facility, upgrade processing and manufacturing equipment 

to better serve our community 

Siebert Custom Slaughter and Meats is requesting the full amount of 200,000.00 to expand our already 

operating facility. We would like to expand the existing structure to include a full kill floor that will meet 

the requirements of our WSDA inspection. We would also like to add another full 20x20 walk in cooler 

and 10x10 walk in freezer. We serve a very rural ranching community with very little resources to access 

kill facilities. We would like to expand our holding and gathering corals, our loading and unloading area, 

and create a modernized and humane knocking box to eliminate stress to animals. We would also add 

an additional water source, a well, that could accommodate the in-house kill facility, and upgrade our 

single-phase power to three-phase to give us maximum equipment power. With the additional space, 

water, power and holding space we could upgrade and modernize our shop equipment adding 

additional saws, grinders, packaging and smoking equipment. With these changes this would allow 

Siebert Custom Slaughter and Meats to take our 700 lbs. of beef processed daily to 1400lb of beef, and 

allow more hanging time with less risk. These changes would also allow us to service more of our 

customers more efficiently and produce a product to the customer in a timely manner. It would allow us 

to work towards becoming a USDA facility that could expand its customer base. 
Recipient: Marzolf Meats, LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Making the Cut: Increasing capacity and adding USDA slaughter, cutting and marketing services 

To increase capacity and access to USDA slaughter and processing in a region with few options for 

producers who sell in Seattle’s marketplace. Mazolf Meats custom butcher shop will need to be 

upgraded to meet USDA requirements. The following items have been identified as necessary for 

bringing the current shop into USDA compliance.

• Processing floor refinishing

• Roof upgrade

• Cooler upgrade

• Addition of USDA inspector bathroom

• Addition of USDA inspector office

• Drain field upgrade

• Smoke house upgrade

By meeting these requirements, Marzolf Meats is prepared to better serve producers and increase 

capacity for slaughter, processing, and sales. In addition to Barn2Door online sales and through our 

retail butcher shop opening in 2021 in historic North Bend, WA, Marzolf Meats is also developing a 

primal cut online sales platform so that we can buy and sell local produced meats to restaurants, 

grocery stores, and other butcher shops. This program will allow farmers to grow their operations 

knowing they have a reliable market for their product.

Recipient: Valley Rabbits LLC

Award Amount: $196,625

Total Project Amount: $196,625

Valley Farmstead Meat Processor Expansion in Rural and Under-served WA 

Valley Farmstead was founded in 2016 in Acme, Washington to meet an unsatiated need for high-quality 

rabbit and small livestock meat products in the Seattle area. The high demand for our meat products 

coupled with Valley Farmstead’s capital-efficient operation strategy has brought success, growth 

opportunities, and new challenges. Our beef, rabbit and chicken livestock is positioned to grow and 

further meet the increasing product demand, but we face the same problems that hinder the growth 

and success of other livestock farmers in our region: 1. There is currently no USDA slaughter facility in 

Whatcom county and there is a great demand in our area for small farm livestock USDA slaughter. 2. We 

ourselves find it difficult to often get our beef WSDA slaughtered, and USDA is an even greater challenge 

resulting in loss of potential sales and profits. By applying for the MPIRG grant, Valley Farmstead aims to 

address the identified problems by establishing, improving, and expanding our meat slaughtering and 

processing capacity and capabilities. The successful execution of this project will allow us to meet the 

demands of current customers and expand our market reach. It will also allow us to serve our rural 

farming community in two ways: 1) relieve pressure on meat processing capacity for small and mediumsized farmers in the region. 2) Develop a USDA compliant workflow that can be adopted and used by 

additional small farmers wanting to set up their own facility.
Recipient: Treebird Farm Inc.

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Enabling Treebird Family Market to Efficiently Supply Local Poultry throughout the Pacific 

Northwest 

In 2012, Treebird Farm started as a small pasture based multi-species livestock farm. Five years later in 

2017 to meet early demand, Treebird expanded into an on-farm butcher facility. Today, we operate our 

farm in Washington and run a small retail full-service grocery store in Oregon along with online sales 

and multiple wholesale accounts in both states. Currently our butcher operation is state licensed for 

poultry and custom red meat and operates under retail exemption status for our retail sales. While this 

system has allowed us to grow and provide local meat and poultry, the Columbia River Gorge region in 

which we operate is a multi-state market and the ability to sell product across state lines is essential to 

expanding our operations. It has been a long-time goal of ours to make the necessary improvements to 

our facility including installing a “Plant-in-a-box” component and conduct all planning activities 

necessary to obtain a federal grant of inspection under the Poultry Products Inspection Act. A federal 

grant of inspection would increase our market, transportation capacity, and efficiency in such a way that 

it would allow for us to grow exponentially.

Recipient: Carnation Farms

Award Amount: $192,022

Total Project Amount: $192,022

P-Peck Poultry Processing Expansion in County of King 

The expansion of EF’s poultry processing infrastructure with the Poultry Processing Expansion in the 

County of King (P-Peck) grant would allow the region’s small and mid-sized poultry producers to increase 

production and will expand consumer access to local foods. No USDA-certified slaughter and 

processing facility currently exists in the region. The P-PECK project will bring back the region one step 

closer to creating a local USDA-certified poultry processing facility. The culmination of the project will 

be a Federal Grant of Inspection in the fall of 2024. 

Wisconsin

Recipient: Meat Shop LLC, The

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Construction of USDA Inspectable Slaughter Facility – with the goal of increasing access to locally 

sourced Meat and Poultry 

Construction of a USDA inspectable slaughter facility with the goal of improving customer access to 

locally sourced meat and poultry. The inspectable facility would allow our business to meet the demand 

that exists for USDA inspectable processing. The new facility would give our business the ability to 

process and sell locally raised meat allowing all customers to have accesses to it through our retail store 

front.
Recipient: Eastman Locker LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Cooler Upgrade and Expansion for CIS Program 

Project will include a renovation and expansion to our current carcass aging cooler to be able to increase 

our harvesting and processing of beef cattle, hogs, lambs and goats. Our project will also include an 

addition of a new carcass/aging cooler to be able to accommodate beef halves and increase our 

harvesting capacity. With this project we look to improve our processing efficiency and improve our 

processing turnaround time. We are a small family-owned business and the largest employer of 10 

employees in our small town of Eastman, WI which has tripled in the last 2 years. With this project we 

plan to provide more employment opportunities to the community. We are one of two state inspected

meat processing plants in Crawford County WI. We believe in locally sourcing our meat and work with 

many local farmers in our surrounding communities. With this project we plan to grow our relationships 

with our current local farmers as well as form new relationships with additional local farmers. We 

currently supply locally raised and processed meat to several restaurants/taverns and convenience 

stores in our surrounding communities as well as consumers from our retail store. With this project we 

look to grow our relationships with our current wholesale accounts and retail customers in our 

Wisconsin communities. We also plan to add new wholesale accounts and serve other surrounding 

communities which would include communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois with CIS as all three 

states are within a 50-mile radius. 

Recipient: Falls Meat Service, LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Falls Meat Service, Inc. Expansion Project: Planning for a Grant of Inspection 

This grant project will expand the Falls Meat Service, Inc facility and operations to increase capacity for 

butchering and processing under USDA Federal Inspection. This will gain efficiencies and safety as well 

as positive impacts for producers and consumers. To begin, this project will double our freezer space, 

increase coolers and extend cutting packaging and retail spaces. This will allow for reorganization within 

our plant to align with USDA Federal Inspection Guidelines. We do not currently have the space and 

layout necessary to meet the USDA guideline of separating ready-to-eat and fresh products by time and 

space but can achieve this through this project. These changes will benefit our business in the long-run,

ultimately increasing efficiency, strengthening safe handling and increasing production. Secondly, this 

expansion will grow our capacity in butchering/processing. Presently, we are limited by cooler/freezer 

space, processing the maximum number of animals we can. This expansion will allow us to add a day of 

butchering each week, doubling our butchering and processing capacity, having a direct impact on local 

producers and consumers. Area farmers struggle to find places to process and often end up shipping 

their livestock to auction houses This project will allow farmers to slaughter and process their meat 

locally. Connected, this will significantly improve the supply chain and access for our local consumers,

addressing a large demand for locally processed meat currently going unmet. Likewise, it keeps dollars 

in our local economy and community, additionally benefitting local consumers. 
Recipient: Solar Meats, LLC 

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Smoker addition and increased processing capacity improvements 

Solar Meats, LLC was established in 2018 as a mobile operation that has matured into a state inspected 

facility providing quality slaughter and processing services to the community. We consistently turn away

business from livestock producers and potential customers seeking federally inspected processing that 

would allow interstate sales. We are currently operating near capacity under state inspection and, if the 

current inquiries are any indication, we expect demand for federally inspected product would exceed 

our total production capacity. Wisconsin state inspectors believe our facility is an ideal candidate to 

participate in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program (CIS) with minor enhancements to our 

existing operations and procedures. We recognize the potential to increase our footprint in the industry 

and expand opportunities for producers and customers alike under the CIS. Our goal is to grow into this 

new opportunity without sacrificing the level of service to our existing producers and customers. The 

2021 Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant is an ideal opportunity for Solar Meats, LLC to apply 

for federal inspection under the CIS and increase the plant’s processing capacity by 50 percent to supply 

an expanded customer base.

Recipient: Richland Locker Company

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Making facility improvements and carrying out other planning activities necessary to obtain a 

Cooperative Interstate Shipping Compliance, and increase meat sales to the local community 

The current expansion plan has been in motion for over a year. The timing of this grant will help us 

complete the project. We purchased a building on an adjacent lot to the north of the current facility in 

January of 2021. We are in the process of designing and bidding a renovation to the building to move 

our retail and wholesale business there. This will give us more room and time for processing animals. 

The next step in the project is to build a connecting building to include a new freezer, new large 

slaughter chill cooler, and a packaging room for a roll stock machine. If funding is given it will help afford 

the necessary expansion and increase harvesting capacity. Our two current limiting factors are a small, 

outdated harvest cooler and a small processing/packaging area. By moving the retail to a new building,

we can increase processing. With a new slaughter cooler, we can increase our slaughter capacity as well 

as our efficiency by harvesting one day a week instead of two. Building a new freezer will also help 

increase our capacity as we struggle storing all the processed meat before it is picked up by the 

consumer. The new packaging room with a roll stock machine will greatly increase our packaging 

efficiency and capacity. The consumers like a vacuum packaged product. With this roll stock packaging 

machine, we will expand our wholesale market to more gas stations and supermarkets.
Recipient: Salchert’s Market, Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Salchert’s Market, Inc. Investing in Today’s Infrastructure for USDA CIS Certification and LongTerm Sustainability 

Salchert’s has been serving northeast Wisconsin with high quality Wisconsin meat since 1928. With new 

ownership in 2019, it is critical to the continued growth, efficiency, sustainability, and longevity of this 

main street business to add processing capacity and efficiency with built-in food safety standard 

operating procedures (SOPs) to obtain the CIS certification. The project funds will be used in the current 

facility to upgrade the electrical, increase the water supply, and refinish surfaces in the processing room 

and dry storage. The remainder of the project funds will be used towards an 1,800 square foot addition 

to the building. New construction will include: 1) space for smoking and finish cooking product, 2) 

designated space for RTE storage and packaging and 3) an employee designated bathroom and 

breakroom. Upon completion of this grant, Salchert’s will process 2 additional animals per week and 

expects to produce an additional 300 lbs. of smoked/RTE products. The increased processing volume will 

result in an estimated annual revenue of $142,896 initially. Over time, the additional capacity and 

efficiencies proposed in this grant enables the business to harvest up to 5 additional beef per week (260 

head annually) and process up to 1,800 additional lbs. of smoked/RTE products per week (93,000+ lbs. 

annually). This grant enables Salchert’s to serve more local farmers and the community with custom 

harvest, adds long-term jobs, and gets Salchert’s ready to sell value-added products nationwide.

Recipient: Bloomington Meats II LLC

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Improving Infrastructure and Cooling to Reach CIS Status at Bloomington Meats II 

Bloomington Meats II is a state-inspected slaughter and processing facility in the rural community of 

Bloomington, Wisconsin. Our weekly production is about 10,000 pounds. Each year, we slaughter and 

process animals from 1,820 unique farmers. We offer 25 varieties of value-added products and offer 

state-inspected and custom slaughter, although our facility is booked out until May 2022. We look to 

participate in the Cooperative Interstate Shipment program, but currently have outdated freezer and 

cooler capabilities that cannot meet FSIS temperature stability requirements, especially in the summer 

months. To fix this, we propose moving from an old independent compressor arrangement to a modern, 

efficient rack system. To ensure we can meet modern equipment safety and cleaning requirements, we 

also propose adding a linker that will be easier to clean and more operationally efficient. While these 

projects are necessary for our CIS status and expanded capacity, they would be at least 6 to 10 years 

away from being affordable without this assistance. We forecast that these projects will allow us to 

increase our revenue by $1.58 million during the grant period, create 5 new jobs, and introduce 12 new 

varieties of value-added products by giving us the flexibility to expand our throughput and reinvest our 

grant period revenues into our business’ expansion. We also estimate that these improvements will 

create a new market channel for 371 unique farmers and increase our weekly beef capacity by 4,000 

pounds per week and pork capacity by 2,000 pounds per week.
Recipient: Maplewood Packing Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Maplewood Packing Inc Transition to Federal Inspection 

Maplewood Packing Inc Transition to Federal Inspection Project has been created with the purpose of 

being able to obtain a federal grant of inspection and to obtain all the benefits that coincide with 

becoming a federal inspected facility. We recognize our facility and organization has areas that need to 

be addressed prior to obtaining a federal grant of inspection. The areas to be addressed include labeling, 

boxing, improving food safety program, label compliance, and a complete evaluation of the 

organizations HACCP system. We feel that addressing these areas will dramatically allow for greater 

capacity, throughput, and overall increase in consumer reach for Maplewood Packing Inc.

Wyoming

Recipient: Kompac Inc

Award Amount: $200,000

Total Project Amount: $200,000

Kompac Meat Processing - Central Wyoming USDA Conversion 

The Kompac Meat Processing - Central Wyoming USDA Conversion project funds the upgrades and 

improvements necessary to increase meat processing capacity at Kompac Meat Processing (Kompac ) 

through cooler upgrades, improved labor capacity through the development and implementation of a 

training program, improved service capacity by constructing concrete drop-off and customer interaction 

areas and ultimately obtain a USDA grant of inspection to serve the Central Wyoming region.