Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for meat processing.

Borrowers should talk to their preferred lender to determine if the lender is approved through the OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative. If you have no preferred lender, contact your local RD office at the details above for assistance with identifying a participating lender.

The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen&#x2004;critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.



The Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program is a part of USDA’s Build Back Better initiative to strengthen critical supply chains and our food system. This program guarantees loans of up to $40 million for qualified lenders to finance food systems projects, specifically for the start-up or expansion of activities in the middle of the food supply chain. The program will support new investments in infrastructure for food aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storage, transportation, wholesaling, and distribution to increase capacity and create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. This program is fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Eligible borrowers must be directly engaged in the middle of the food supply chain, specifically the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution of food. Examples of the types of entities that may qualify for the program include a meat processor or a food hub. As a borrower, your lender will work with you to verify your project qualifies.

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

- Fact Sheet
- Federal Register Notice
- Frequently Asked Questions

Public Health

Compliance

Infrastructure

Loans can not be used for
- Lines of credit
- Owner-occupied and rental housing
- Golf courses or golf course supporting infrastructure
- Racetracks or gambling facilities
- Churches or church-controlled organizations
- Fraternal organizations
- Lending, investment, and insurance companies
- Agricultural production
- Distribution or payment to a beneficiary of the borrower, or to an individual or entity that will retain an ownership interest in the borrower

Eligible beneficiaries (frontline workers) should monitor the Awarded Grants Page for information about how to apply for their relief payment.

The Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program provides approximately $665 million in Consolidated Appropriations Act funds to provide grants to State agencies, Tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations with experience in providing support or relief services to farmworkers or meatpacking workers. Awards will generally range from $5 million to $50 million.

Entities receiving awards will then distribute&#x2004;relief payments to frontline farmworkers and meatpacking workers who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, a one-time direct relief payment of $600 will be available to qualifying frontline farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

USDA strongly encourages small organizations to partner together or to partner with national organizations in submitting applications to ensure this support has the broadest reach and distribution possible to America’s farm and food workers. AMS will set aside up to a total of $20 million of this amount for one or more grant agreements to benefit grocery store workers. 

USDA AMS has partnered with two organizations, [UFW Foundation](https://www.ufwfoundation.org/usdatechnicalassistance) and [Corazón Latino](https://www.corazonlatino.us/usdata), to provide applicants with technical assistance support as they prepare applications. The technical assistance providers are available to help identify grant preparation resources, potential partners and key considerations when developing a competitive grant application and successful program.



The Farm and Food Workers Relief Grant Program provides approximately $665 million in Consolidated Appropriations Act funds to provide grants to State agencies, Tribal entities, and nonprofit organizations with experience in providing support or relief services to farmworkers or meatpacking workers. Awards will generally range from $5 million to $50 million.
Entities receiving awards will then distribute relief payments to frontline farmworkers and meatpacking workers who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, a one-time direct relief payment of $600 will be available to qualifying frontline farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
USDA strongly encourages small organizations to partner together or to partner with national organizations in submitting applications to ensure this support has the broadest reach and distribution possible to America’s farm and food workers. AMS will set aside up to a total of $20 million of this amount for one or more grant agreements to benefit grocery store workers. 
USDA AMS has partnered with two organizations, UFW Foundation and Corazón Latino, to provide applicants with technical assistance support as they prepare applications. The technical assistance providers are available to help identify grant preparation resources, potential partners and key considerations when developing a competitive grant application and successful program.

Eligible beneficiaries for this program are defined as hired workers in farming activities, meatpacking, or grocery store work. AMS expects beneficiaries across these worker types to be frontline workers, and not those working in management positions. The grant recipients of the FFWR Grant Program (State agencies, Tribal Entities, and non-profit organizations) will distribute funds to eligible beneficiaries.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

- Awarded Grants Page
- FY 2023 Awarded Groups

Training

Send complete applications (below) to scriste@marbidco.org. Electronic submissions are encouraged.

Application Link 

Or mail to 
MARBIDCO – Livestock Proc. Equip. Grant 
c/o Sierra Criste 
1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21 
Annapolis, MD 21403

Sierra Criste

MARBIDCO has established the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program to help assist with the expansion of livestock processing capacity&#x2004;in Maryland. This program offers grants to eligible applicants to purchase livestock and meat processing equipment and/or upgrade facilities to help increase production in Maryland, with a particular focus on large animal and blue catfish processing. (Smaller scale poultry processing projects may also be eligible.)

MARBIDCO will contribute up to 50% towards the eligible costs, with a maximum grant award amount of $50,000 for USDA-inspected facility projects and maximum grant award amount of $30,000 for custom-exempt processing or mobile processing projects.



MARBIDCO has established the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Grant Program to help assist with the expansion of livestock processing capacity in Maryland. This program offers grants to eligible applicants to purchase livestock and meat processing equipment and/or upgrade facilities to help increase production in Maryland, with a particular focus on large animal and blue catfish processing. (Smaller scale poultry processing projects may also be eligible.)
MARBIDCO will contribute up to 50% towards the eligible costs, with a maximum grant award amount of $50,000 for USDA-inspected facility projects and maximum grant award amount of $30,000 for custom-exempt processing or mobile processing projects.

Eligible applicants include individuals and businesses who currently operate livestock and meat processing enterprises in Maryland, as well as those that can start such operations by no later than July 31, 2023. These applicants can include sole proprietorships, partnerships, cooperatives, corporations, or LLCs.
Eligible expenses: Grant funds (and matching funds paid by the applicant) must be used to purchase livestock and meat processing equipment for USDA-inspected facilities, custom-exempt or mobile processing projects. Livestock processing equipment items purchased prior to April 1, 2023, are not eligible to be reimbursed using these grant funds.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

Farmers Market

Food Systems

To apply for this program, visit Grants.gov for instructions and application materials. 
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPILP application. 
Applicants are encouraged to review the Self-Screening Guide to assess preliminary eligibility for the program.

The Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) provides grant funding to intermediary lenders who finance – or plan to finance – the start-up, expansion, or operation of slaughter, or other processing of meat and poultry. The objective of the MPILP is to strengthen the financing capacity for independent meat processors, and to create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. 



What types of intermediaries can apply for this program?
Private nonprofit corporations, public agencies, Tribes, and cooperatives that finance – or plan to finance – the start-up, expansion, or operation of meat and poultry processing are eligible to apply.
Who are eligible ultimate recipients?
Businesses engaged, or proposing to engage, in the processing of meat or poultry – either directly, or through agreements with other entities - can apply for a loan from the intermediary lender as an ultimate recipient. 
Ultimate recipients must:
- Be a business engaged, or proposing to engage, in commercial meat or poultry processing projects; either directly, or through agreements with other entities
- Comply with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service requirements, or be custom exempt 

- Fact Sheet
- Grants.gov Posting
- Application checklist 
- Self-screening guide 
- 1970-B exhibit D
- 1970-A exhibit H
- Application template 
- FAQ
- Environmental Checklist
- MPILP vs FSC comparison

Local Food

Grant funds to intermediaries can be used to operate and expand meat and poultry processing capacity by supporting activities such as:
- Purchasing and developing land
- Constructing a new facility
- Modernizing or expanding an existing facility
- Developing, installing, or modernizing equipment and technology 
- Improving leaseholds
- Ensuring compliance with occupational and other safety requirements 
- Modernizing equipment or facilities to ensure food safety 
- Refinancing debt
- Purchasing cooperative stock (by individual farmers or ranchers in a farmer or rancher cooperative) 
- Purchasing transferable cooperative stock 
- Making loans to a fund that invests primarily in cooperatives (in accordance with the provisions of the program) 
- Qualifying taxable corporate bonds 
- Paying for feasibility studies for meat and processing facilities 
- Undertaking pollution control and abatement
- Handling waste management
- Offsetting start-up costs, working capital, fees and other expenses related to federal inspection

Carefully read the full Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility and requirements; then apply online.
If you need this information in an alternative format, please contact the program administrator.

Eric Nooker

The AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant offers designated grants to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing businesses. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota-raised livestock products by investing in equipment and physical improvements that support processing, capacity, market diversification, and market access.



Individuals, farmers, businesses, agricultural cooperatives, non-profits, educational institutions, local governments, and Tribal Governments are eligible to apply.
You must explain how your project will increase the sales of Minnesota-raised livestock products and/or increase market access. This program aims to fund projects that impact many farmers.
MDA will prioritize projects that create additional meat/poultry slaughter capacity in addition to projects that increase access to Kosher/Halal markets.

Eggs

Dairy

Dried Eggs

Frozen Eggs

Liquid Eggs

Shell Eggs

Butter

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Events

Trade Show

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Certified Organic

Trade Relief

Marketing

MDA expect to award up to $1.4 million in Fiscal Year 2023. The minimum award is $1,000 and the maximum award is $150,000.
This grant requires a cash match. For the match:
- You are responsible for 50% of the first $50,000 to receive up to a $25,000 reimbursement.
- For costs after the first $50,000, you are responsible for 75% of the total remaining cost to receive 25% reimbursement, up to a maximum grant award of $150,000.

All applications must be electronically submitted to Joshua.k.marshall@agr.nh.gov using the fillable application template provided below. Use the subject line "MPIP RFP 2022".
Additionally, four (4) printed copies of the application must be received by the NHDAMF office no later than 4:00 pm on January 30, 2023. Mail them to: 
Meat Processing Infrastructure Program 
NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets & Food 
PO Box 2042 
Concord, NH 03302-2042

Josh Marshall

The Meat Processing Infrastructure Program (MPIP) is administered by the New Hampshire&#x2004;Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (DAMF). The grant provides funding for infrastructure investments for local farmers and meat and poultry processing facilities to increase capacity and efficiencies of the meat and poultry processing industry within the state. The goal of the grant program is to alleviate impacts of COVID-19 on the local meat and poultry processing industry by supporting increased capacity, labor saving efficiencies, and encouraging value-added products through capital investments and other related infrastructure improvements.



The Meat Processing Infrastructure Program (MPIP) is administered by the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (DAMF). The grant provides funding for infrastructure investments for local farmers and meat and poultry processing facilities to increase capacity and efficiencies of the meat and poultry processing industry within the state. The goal of the grant program is to alleviate impacts of COVID-19 on the local meat and poultry processing industry by supporting increased capacity, labor saving efficiencies, and encouraging value-added products through capital investments and other related infrastructure improvements.

- Be a new or existing New Hampshire based meat processing facility, farm, or business that provides slaughter, processing, or custom butchering services.
- Be in good standing with the State of New Hampshire.

Coronavirus

Fencing

Trees

Weather

Wildfire

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Emergency

MPIP will award up to $750,000 through a competitive review process. The maximum individual grant award will be $200,000 and the minimum will be $1,000. There will be one round of funding.

Eligible producers can apply for SMHPP by working directly with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) office at their local USDA Service Center at the contact information above. Applications will be accepted via mail, fax, hand delivery, or electronic means.
In addition to the below forms, your FSA office will ask for supporting documentation to substantiate the number of hogs reported on the application. Examples of supporting documentation that may be requested include negotiated sale agreement, veterinarian records, feeding records, inventory records, rendering receipts, purchase receipts, and other records determined acceptable by FSA.
Alternatively, producers with an eAuthentication account may apply for SMHPP via FSA's SMHPP Application Portal. Applications will be completed, electronically signed, and submitted directly to your local USDA Service Center through this online system. Producers interested in creating an eAuthentication account should visit farmers.gov/sign-in to learn more.
A Spanish FSA-940 and instructions are also available.


Do you raise hogs that were&#x2004;sold through a negotiated, or negotiated formula, sale? You may be eligible for assistance for hogs sold through a negotiated sale from April 16, 2020, through September 1, 2020, through USDA’s Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP). This new program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. 

The USDA defines a "Negotiated Sale" or "Negotiated Formula Sale" to mean **a sale of hogs by a producer to a packer under which the base price for the hogs is determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement on a delivery day**.



Do you raise hogs that were sold through a negotiated, or negotiated formula, sale? You may be eligible for assistance for hogs sold through a negotiated sale from April 16, 2020, through September 1, 2020, through USDA’s Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP). This new program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. 
The USDA defines a "Negotiated Sale" or "Negotiated Formula Sale" to mean a sale of hogs by a producer to a packer under which the base price for the hogs is determined by seller-buyer interaction and agreement on a delivery day.

To be eligible for SMHPP, an applicant must:
- Be a person or legal entity who has ownership in the hogs and whose production facilities are located in the United States, including U.S. territories. Please note that contract producers; federal, state, and local governments, including public schools; packers; and producers for hog purchases through all other purchase types are not eligible for SMHPP. Ineligible purchasing types may include other market formula, swine or pork market formula, other purchase arrangements, and packer owned.
- Have an average adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $900,000 for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018.
- Comply with provisions of the “Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation” regulations, often called the conservation compliance provisions. 
- Not have a controlled substance violation.
- Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien.

- Frequently Asked Questions
- Notice of Funds Availability: Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program 
- Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program Fact Sheet
- Stakeholder Toolkit: Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program
- USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative  
- News Release: USDA Provides Additional Pandemic Assistance to Hog Producers (December 13, 2021)
- SMHPP Application Portal User Guide

USDA will calculate SMHPP payments by multiplying the number of head of eligible hogs, not to exceed 10,000 head, by the payment rate of $54 per head. You may use the following equation for this calculation:
Expected SMHPP Payment = # Eligible Hogs Sold from April 16, 2020 through September 1, 2020 x $54
There is no per person or legal entity payment limitation on SMHPP payments. FSA will issue payments not to exceed 10,000 head per producer to eligible hog producers as applications are received and approved. 

View the application questions and complete your application online at this portal.

The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.

The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added&#x2004;and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. **Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the [Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP)](https://ambrook.com/funding/tennessee-agricultural-enhancement-program).**

Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive.



The Agricultural Enterprise Fund (AEF) is an incentive program that supports Governor Lee’s priority of job creation and economic development by facilitating agricultural development in Tennessee. It is administered by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The AEF awards grants to starting or expanding agricultural, food, and forestry businesses; nonprofits, local governments, and other entities in Tennessee, or those whose project will be located in Tennessee. The program focuses on value-added and processing projects that benefit other producers or forest landowners. Farming projects such as livestock, row crop, or horticulture production expansions will not be competitive, but may be supported through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).
Successful grant recipients must demonstrate a strong potential for impact on local farm income, access to markets, increased capacity or agricultural innovation. Priority will be given to businesses located in at-risk counties, distressed counties, and counties adjoining at-risk or distressed counties, and the AEF selection process is competitive.

Applicant Requirements
- Applicants must be a Tennessee entity (i.e. agriculture, food, or forestry business, farmer, local government, or nonprofit in Tennessee) or have a project based in Tennessee.
- Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase farm income for local farmers, enhance access to agricultural markets, increase capacity of their business, or contribute to the agriculture industry through innovation.
- Applicants must be making an investment into the project. AEF funds may not be more than 25% of the project’s total budget.
- Applicants must submit project updates to measure impact of the grant on the applicant as well as the local economy, and agree to work with the Department of Agriculture to track success of the project.
- Applicants may not submit proposals that will result in relocation of a facility from one place in Tennessee to another.
- Applicants must purchase at least 25% of any agricultural inputs from Tennessee producers. This requirement may be relaxed when compliance would be impracticable – i.e. in times of drought, disease, etc.
Project Requirements
Projects funded by the Agricultural Enterprise Fund must match the description of at least one of the following four categories. Many projects will potentially match the description of more than one category and applicants should indicate so on their application.
- Increase in Farm Income - This category includes projects that will increase farm income by offering farmers higher commodity prices than other markets, processing value-added products for farmers, or allowing a single farmer to add value to their own farm products.
- Increased Access to Markets - This category includes projects that will create or expand a market for Tennessee farmers or forest landowners, including reducing miles that farmers must transport their products to market or creating a new market entirely. 
- Increased Capacity - This category includes projects that will expand the capacity of an existing agricultural, food, or forestry business, including their production or processing capacity or the number of employees.
- Agricultural Innovation - This category is appropriate for entrepreneurs who wish to market a new technological innovation with the potential to impact Tennessee agriculture or the forestry industry by creating efficiencies in production, reducing costs, etc.

- Application Scoring
- Metrics
- Frequently Asked Questions

Applications must be submitted via the online grants management system, WebGrants, at agriculturegrants.vermont.gov between Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 at 12:00 PM (noon) and Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:59 PM. Paper applications will not be accepted. Application components are outlined below as they will appear in WebGrants. Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets staff are available to provide assistance during State of Vermont business hours, Monday - Friday, 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM. Please read the complete application guide at https://agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/howtoapply before requesting support. Please plan ahead, as assistance may not be available shortly before deadlines. Applicants will be contacted by email in January 2022 regarding the acceptance or denial of their application based on review and scoring criteria (see Section III. Application Review and Scoring).

Lynn Ellen Schimoler

Diana Ferguson

WebGrants Technical Assistance

Approximately 20% of Vermont’s working landscape is used for agricultural purposes, and 75% is forested. Vermont prospers and its unique sense of place thrives, in large part, because of intelligent investments in the people&#x2004;and enterprises that comprise its farm, food, and forest-based systems. Strong community engagement and support for the farm and forest sectors leads to enhanced quality of life for Vermont citizens and working lands business owners. The mission of the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, Act 142, created the Working Lands Enterprise Fund (WLEF) and the WLEB. The WLEB is made up of private sector members throughout the supply chains of agriculture and forestry, and staff from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation; Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development; Vermont Housing & Conservation Board; Vermont Economic Development Authority; and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.



Approximately 20% of Vermont’s working landscape is used for agricultural purposes, and 75% is forested. Vermont prospers and its unique sense of place thrives, in large part, because of intelligent investments in the people and enterprises that comprise its farm, food, and forest-based systems. Strong community engagement and support for the farm and forest sectors leads to enhanced quality of life for Vermont citizens and working lands business owners. The mission of the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative is to grow the economies, cultures, and communities of Vermont's working landscape. The Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) achieves this by making essential, catalytic investments in critical leverage points of the Vermont farm and forest economy and facilitating policy development to optimize the agricultural and forest use of Vermont lands. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, Act 142, created the Working Lands Enterprise Fund (WLEF) and the WLEB. The WLEB is made up of private sector members throughout the supply chains of agriculture and forestry, and staff from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets; Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation; Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development; Vermont Housing & Conservation Board; Vermont Economic Development Authority; and Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.

Business grantee organizations must be based in Vermont and registered with the Secretary of State at the time of application submission. All business ownership structures are eligible (e.g., Partnerships, Limited Liability Corporations, Sole Proprietorships, Cooperatives, Corporations, S Corporations, L3Cs; and/or nonprofits that are involved in the production of agriculture and/or forest products). Applicants must be in compliance with all state regulations (i.e., water quality, taxes, child support) and in good standing with the State of Vermont at the time of submitting an application and must remain so during the entire grant period. Previous recipients of Working Lands Business Grants in the amount of $20,000 or less are eligible to reapply for funding during Fiscal Year 2022. Previous recipients of Working Lands grants for more than $20,000 are not eligible to apply for further Working Lands funding until three years after the start date of their previous grant (i.e., FY19 and earlier grantees are eligible to apply this year). Applicants who have received Working Lands grants in the past will be asked to measure and report on the results of previously funded projects and demonstrate how continued funding will be used to grow or improve their operation. 

Eligible Projects:
Projects eligible for funding include: 
- Infrastructure improvements 
- Business growth – market development, marketing plans and/or sales strategy
- Workforce training and development 
- Research and design
- Energy focused projects
- Business growth:
    - Increasing size of facility to enhance production, processing and/or distribution; addressing known/existing bottlenecks .
    - Market development: developing marketing plans and/or sales strategies, accessing new markets and securing new customers; brand development, including website design or upgrades; institutional and wholesale market expansion; costs associated with achieving humane and/or organic certification o Equipment infrastructure to support value-added production (e.g., smoker); expansion of current processing capacity; transitioning to new pack-size/labeling or enhancing production and/or manufacturing efficiencies; additional facility infrastructure to increase efficiency (e.g., hydraulic lifts).
    - Continued navigation beyond COVID-19: research and development/testing new systems or technologies; developing innovative solutions to production or management issues including accounting, tracking, and/or sales software, (e.g., e-commerce, home delivery or curbside pick-up)
    - Operations logistics: workplace modifications to meet worker safety protocols regulations for working lands enterprises compliance, automation to address production bottlenecks Growth strategy: new or expansion of current business operations, expansion of existing marketing strategy and/or consumer outreach, development of multi-year marketing plan and growth strategy of the industry represented, with intent to sell goods out of Vermont.
- Workforce trainings to benefit the broader industry:
    - On-the-job training or apprenticeship opportunities, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HCAAP) plans and implementation,
    - Inventory, procurement, and pricing management 
    - Basic meat cutting and cured meat operation, cut and wrap for case-ready products, value-added processing: grinding, casing, smoking, transforming meat and trimmings from cutting step to ready-to-eat products
    - Product development, sales, and marketing skills training 
    - Local meat processing: farmer to processor to buyer; developing direct-to-consumer markets; developing direct-to-wholesale markets 
- Energy focused projects: related to energy efficiency or renewable energy generation; projects may include, but are not limited to: lighting, refrigeration/cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, low-energy water management, ventilation systems, and/or energy generation. Project costs can include equipment, installation, and/or technical assistance

List of Agricultural Funding for Meat Processing