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

Application consists of (1) a letter from the locality's chief elected/appointed official to the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, and (2) a letter from the business beneficiary, per the AFID guidelines. No online portal; interested businesses should contact their local economic development office or VDACS.

Michele Bridges

Project Manager

The Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund's Facility Grants are a discretionary, performance-based economic-development incentive for agriculture and forestry value-added or processing projects. Grants are awarded to a political subdivision for the benefit of a company, supporting produce companies, dairy/meat/poultry processors, specialty food and beverage manufacturers, greenhouse operations, forest product manufacturers, and aquaculture (e.g., oyster production).



Awarded to political subdivisions (counties, cities, towns) for the benefit of a company; the locality applies, not the business directly. The benefiting facility must produce value-added agricultural or forestal products, with a minimum of 30% of the product grown or produced in Virginia annually. Multiple localities may jointly apply.

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

Grant

Maximum $500,000 per project (may be exceeded for projects of statewide/regional importance). Dollar-for-dollar local match required (may be waived/reduced for statewide/regional-importance projects). Minimum 30% Virginia-grown products required. Performance-based payout split roughly evenly across Virginia-grown purchases, new jobs, and capital investment, with clawback if targets are missed.

Loans are administered by AADA. AMPP loan applications are anticipated to open for a second round of acceptance starting April 15. Applicants complete the AMPP Loan Application and provide supporting documents including a USDA Environmental Checklist and an Existing Debt Summary. Contact the program at mpilp@agi.alabama.gov.

Randy Davis

Executive Director

The Alabama Meat Processing Program (AMPP), part of the USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program, is administered by the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority (AADA), which was established in 1980 by the Alabama Legislature to promote agriculture and to finance agricultural businesses in&#x2004;Alabama. AADA's mission for the USDA-AMPP is to boost rural economic development by financing small business owners who are expanding or starting a slaughter or processing facility within Alabama, with the end goal of facilitating the start-up and expansion of small and medium sized slaughter and processing plants. AMPP provides funding to finance the establishment, expansion, or operation of meat and poultry processing facilities. Together with this award, USDA provided $88.6 million to nine nonprofits in seven states.



The Alabama Meat Processing Program (AMPP), part of the USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program, is administered by the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority (AADA), which was established in 1980 by the Alabama Legislature to promote agriculture and to finance agricultural businesses in Alabama. AADA's mission for the USDA-AMPP is to boost rural economic development by financing small business owners who are expanding or starting a slaughter or processing facility within Alabama, with the end goal of facilitating the start-up and expansion of small and medium sized slaughter and processing plants. AMPP provides funding to finance the establishment, expansion, or operation of meat and poultry processing facilities. Together with this award, USDA provided $88.6 million to nine nonprofits in seven states.

Small business owners who are expanding or starting a slaughter or processing facility within Alabama; the program targets small and medium sized slaughter and processing plants, positively impacting everyone within the food supply chain from the farmer to the slaughter and processing facility to the consumer.

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

Loan

Rate and term ARE published — in the AMPP Loan Application Packet linked from the program page, not on the page itself. Verbatim: "Loan interest rate is 4%." and "Loan terms are available up to 30 years for real estate and up to 15 years for equipment. The terms available on each request will be determined by AADA considering the request and useful life of the proposed collateral."

Fees: a "Nonrefundable application fee" — "Submit a check payable to 'Alabama Agricultural Development Authority' for $150.00 with your application to cover credit reports" — and at closing, "Borrower must pay a one-time processing fee of ¼ of 1% (.0025) of the loan amount due at the time of loan closing." The "Borrower is responsible for all legal and closing costs associated with the loan."

Underwriting conditions: "Loan covenant requirements are as follows: Minimum Debt Service Coverage of 110%; Debt to Asset Ratio not more than 1:1; Loan to Value will not exceed 80%." Loans must be secured and an appraisal is required; "Principals of the funded entity must furnish personal guarantees"; and hazard and "key man" insurance (if applicable) naming AADA as loss payee is required. Applicants are also asked to name the "Amount of Loan requested," to "describe your preferred schedule of repayment," and to identify the people "authorized to negotiate loan terms and conditions."

Honest-unpublished value: no per-borrower loan ceiling or floor is published anywhere in the program page, the loan packet, or the AADA news releases.

Eligible uses are broad: "Loans can be used to purchase or construct new facilities, expand existing facilities, purchase new equipment, cover start-up costs and hire additional employees." The packet also lists acquisition and development of land, buildings or infrastructure, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment purchase, debt refinancing, feasibility studies, and pollution control and abatement.

The dollar figures AADA publishes are pool sizes, not per-borrower awards. Alabama's program comes from "a $15 million award from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) to the AADA," and "funds will be allocated until the $15 million is loaned out or the deadline of March 1, 2026, which ever occurs first." Separately, "together with this award, USDA provided $88.6 million to nine nonprofits in seven states."

The AMPP loan program "operates under the USDA-MPILP Regulations."

Fill out BAV's inquiry form to request technical assistance or financial support.

Jake Levin

The Local Meat Processing Support Program aims to improve processing bottlenecks for livestock farmers in the Berkshire-Taconic region, supporting livestock-producer viability and the availability of local meat products. BAV works with existing processors, providing technical assistance, help applying for state and federal grants, and low-interest flexible loans for plant improvement, working capital, new equipment, updated food-safety plans, and workforce training and retention.



Meat processors, livestock farmers, and stakeholders in the local livestock/meat supply chain in the Berkshire-Taconic region (Berkshire County, MA; Columbia and Dutchess Counties, NY; and Litchfield County, CT).

Farmers Market

Food Systems

Blended support: low-interest flexible loans plus grant-application help and technical assistance for meat processors and livestock farmers. Specific loan amounts for this program are not published on the program page (BAV's Revolving Loan Fund carries a $50,000 / 5-year cap).

Contact Meg Jackson (402.603.0026, megj@cfra.org) or complete CFRA's initial intake form. Required documents include business financials, tax returns, proof of ownership, sources-and-uses schedule, business plan, personal financial statement/tax returns, and an environmental review if required. All loans require USDA concurrence on the underwriting recommendation.

Meg Jackson

Senior Loan Specialist

Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA) loans, established under the USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program, fund equipment, facilities, and working capital for existing, expanding, or start-up meat processors — covering business expansion or start-up, real estate purchase, facility updates, equipment purchase, energy efficiency upgrades, purchase of an existing business, and working capital.



Available to primary (slaughter) and secondary (cut, pack, value-added) meat processors that are USDA inspected or have a plan to seek USDA inspection. Available in Nebraska, and regionally/nationally depending on funding availability. Custom-exempt facilities are not eligible here (they are directed to CFRA's general small-business loans instead).

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Infrastructure

Loans range $50,000–$2,000,000. Rates anticipated between 5–7% (as of August 2026); closing fee 1–3% of loan amount; no prepayment penalty. Amortization 1–20 years depending on use (working capital/construction 1–3 years; equipment/facility upgrades 3–15 years; construction/real estate 10–20 years). Minimum 10–20% owner equity required for start-ups. Collateralized by business or personal assets.

Administered by the NCDA&CS grants program. For program information and application materials contact the Director of Agricultural Project Management (Charles Fletcher). No application deadline is stated on the page.

Charles Fletcher

Director of Agricultural Project Management

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Increasing Meat Production, Efficiency and Capacity (IMPEC) grant program is geared to independent state meat and seafood processing facilities. In addition to increasing production, efficiency and/or capacity, projects can also include value-added processing. Project categories can include equipment and infrastructure, contractual/consultation, labor, training and retention, and other identified needs.



To be eligible for grant funding, applicants must contract with independent livestock producers or seafood harvesters to process animals or seafood and must be state or federally inspected, or must produce further processed meat products under state or federal inspection, or be a USDA inspected processor of shelf-stable meat or meat products. Proposals can be for beef, pork, small ruminant, seafood, and catfish processing facilities. Recipients must match $1 in funds or services for every $2 in grant funding; cash or services must come from non-federal and/or state sources, and matching funds cannot be used as a match for any other federal or state cost-share project.

Training

Match is the only quantified term NCDA&CS publishes: "Recipients must match $1 in funds or services for every $2 in grant funding. Cash or services must come from non-federal and/or state sources, and matching funds cannot be used as a match for any other federal or state cost-share project." In practice that means the grant covers up to two-thirds of a project and you bring one-third, in cash or in-kind services.

No award ceiling, floor, or funding-round total is published on the NCDA&CS grants page for the current IMPEC program, and no application deadline is stated. Earlier IMPEC rounds were announced with their own per-project limits, but no current figure is posted — contact the Director of Agricultural Project Management (Charles Fletcher) for the amount available in the current round before budgeting a project.

Eligible spending categories: equipment and infrastructure, contractual/consultation, labor, training and retention, and other identified needs; projects may also include value-added processing.

No contract length, interest rate, or fee applies — IMPEC is a grant to independent state-inspected meat and seafood processing facilities.

The applicant must originate all applications. Applications are processed in the order received, subject to available funds. Send completed applications to MARBIDCO Loan Programs, c/o Allison Roe, 1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21, Annapolis, MD 21403.

Maryland Agriculture & Resource-Based Industry Development Company

This program offers loans&#x2004;to eligible applicants to help start up or expand small- and medium-sized USDA-inspected slaughter facilities in Maryland, increasing the processing of meat, poultry, and blue catfish. Large meat and poultry processing companies are not eligible. It can offer standalone financing or work in conjunction with commercial lenders. Loan proceeds derive from the USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) grant with matching funds from MARBIDCO; MARBIDCO must submit all projects to USDA for approval before disbursing funds.



This program offers loans to eligible applicants to help start up or expand small- and medium-sized USDA-inspected slaughter facilities in Maryland, increasing the processing of meat, poultry, and blue catfish. Large meat and poultry processing companies are not eligible. It can offer standalone financing or work in conjunction with commercial lenders. Loan proceeds derive from the USDA Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP) grant with matching funds from MARBIDCO; MARBIDCO must submit all projects to USDA for approval before disbursing funds.

Open to applicants starting up or expanding small- and medium-sized USDA-inspected slaughter facilities in Maryland; large meat and poultry processing companies are not eligible. Loan proceeds can be used to purchase real estate, construct a new or expand an existing livestock processing facility, and purchase processing equipment. Priority is given to construction of new facilities, especially in underserved parts of Maryland. A personal guarantee is required (waived when the borrower provides a 20% equity contribution, including MARBIDCO's equity grant).

Loan amounts range from $250,000 to $2,500,000 at a 4.00% fixed rate, with a 0.25% origination fee (maximum $5,000). The borrower must provide at least 7.5% of total project cost as equity. MARBIDCO provides a dollar-for-dollar equity match grant of up to 10% of project cost, capped at $250,000. Applicants constructing a new facility must demonstrate working capital of at least 10% of project cost, in cash or through a bank line of credit. The loan term corresponds to the useful life of financed assets, following an interest-only period of up to 12 months; appropriate collateral security is required.

Tax Credit applications for a tax year are due by November 1 of the following year (2024 applications were due November 1, 2025). Apply through MASBDA at (573) 751-2129 or masbda@mda.mo.gov.

MASBDA

The Missouri Meat Processing Facility Investment Tax Credit Program aims to stimulate investment in the meat processing industry in Missouri by enabling livestock producers to capture added value through further processing.



Eligible applicants are meat processing facility owners/operators in Missouri with combined employment of fewer than 500 individuals across all meat processing facilities owned. Modernization or expansion activities must occur January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2028. Expenses cannot be funded or reimbursed by state or federal sources.

A reduction or waiving of fees for meeting a certain criteria.

Discount

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

High Tunnel

Irrigation

Storage

The credit is 25% of the amount the taxpayer paid in the tax year for modernization and expansion, up to a maximum of $75,000 annually per facility, with a statewide cap of $2,000,000 per calendar year. Credits are non-refundable but may be carried forward 4 years and are transferable (with a $50 transfer fee). A $100 application fee plus a 3% tax-credit issuance fee apply. The program sunsets December 31, 2028.

Firms considering ADBs should contact NCAFA early in the process; NCAFA will advise on how to proceed with a bond issue. Certain steps such as the 'Inducement' should be completed prior to expending money on the project (expenditures prior to inducement may be excluded from the bond issue in certain circumstances). It is highly recommended that the firm discuss letter-of-credit and bond-security requirements with NCAFA before finalizing, to avoid delays.

Sean McKeon

Agricultural Development Bonds (ADBs) are tax-exempt bonds issued by the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority (NCAFA), which has&#x2004;authority under the North Carolina General Statutes (Chapter 122D) to issue bonds for many purposes. ADBs can be used to finance a wide range of agricultural projects that involve 'processing' or 'manufacturing' of agricultural products as long as the projects qualify for federal tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code, resulting in lower financing costs to the borrower. Examples of ADB financings include cotton gins, feed mills, meat processing facilities, and agricultural waste to produce green energy. ADBs cannot be used for refinancing.



Agricultural Development Bonds (ADBs) are tax-exempt bonds issued by the North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority (NCAFA), which has authority under the North Carolina General Statutes (Chapter 122D) to issue bonds for many purposes. ADBs can be used to finance a wide range of agricultural projects that involve 'processing' or 'manufacturing' of agricultural products as long as the projects qualify for federal tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code, resulting in lower financing costs to the borrower. Examples of ADB financings include cotton gins, feed mills, meat processing facilities, and agricultural waste to produce green energy. ADBs cannot be used for refinancing.

- Financing is available for projects in North Carolina.
- Firms undertaking agricultural projects that involve processing or manufacturing of agricultural products.
- Projects must qualify for federal tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code.
- Eligibility under the federal tax code must be determined by bond counsel.
- Projects must be acceptable to NCAFA as an agricultural purpose, even if they qualify as tax-exempt.

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

No bond size limit, interest rate, spread, or issuance fee is published on the program page or elsewhere on the NCAFA site.

What is published: the benefit is the federal tax exemption itself. ADBs "can be used to finance a wide range of agricultural projects that involve 'processing' or 'manufacturing' of agricultural products as long as these projects qualify for federal tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code. This results in lower financing costs to the borrower." NCAFA's programs page describes its role as "acting as conduit issuer for agribusiness processing, Ag related manufacturing or Ag waste disposal, in order to facilitate lower (tax exempt) interest rates," and notes NCAFA "has statewide bond authority."

Restrictions and process conditions that affect cost:
• ADBs cannot be used for refinancing.
• The "Inducement" step should be completed before money is spent on the project — "expenditures prior to inducement may be subject to exclusion from the bond issue in certain circumstances."
• A letter of credit is normally involved; NCAFA advises discussing its bond-security requirements before agreeing to a final LOC, since failing to do so "may result in delays."
• Eligibility under the federal tax code must be determined by bond counsel, and a project that qualifies as tax exempt may still be rejected by NCAFA as not serving an "agricultural" purpose.

Pricing is set at issuance against the borrower's credit and credit enhancement, so contact NCAFA (Executive Director, 919-664-1740) early for indicative terms.

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://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html).

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

Trees

Due to limited funding, projects usually will not receive more than $499,999 in AEF support. Applicants will not be awarded more than 25% of their project budget. Businesses may apply for AEF funding over multiple rounds but will not be eligible for AEF funding if they receive a total of $1 million from the program.

A competitive annual round run by DATCP's Division of Agricultural Development. There is no portal and no rolling intake — DATCP posts the application and materials on the program page during the open window, and you submit them to DATCP.

Where to get the application: the program page, https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/MeatProcessorInfrastructureGrants.aspx. DATCP's announcement for the last round said exactly that — "Access the grant application and materials at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/MeatProcessorInfrastructureGrants.aspx."

Timing — read this before you plan around it. The most recent round is closed and the next one has not been announced. The 2026 round ran January 12 to February 23, 2026 ("DATCP invites Wisconsin meat processors to apply for the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant through February 23, 2026"), and recipients were announced June 15, 2026. As of early September 2026 the program page carries no open application and no 2027 deadline is published. DATCP still lists the grant under "Active Grants." Recent rounds have all opened in the colder half of the year, but not on a fixed month — the program page's own announcement list shows the 2026 round opening January 12, the 2024 round opening February 5 (closing March 8), and the round before that opening October 28, 2021 (closing January 14). So start watching in the autumn rather than waiting for January. To catch it, sign up for DATCP email updates from the Meat and Livestock Development page (https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/MeatAndLivestockDevelopment.aspx) and watch the DATCP newsroom.

What your application has to establish: "Eligible applicants must operate a meat processing establishment in Wisconsin licensed by DATCP or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and be engaged in livestock harvest or meat processing. Projects must increase harvest capacity or production, with a goal of increasing harvest or production by 20 percent."

So build the project narrative and budget around a measurable capacity increase, scope it to eligible costs — "expenses for engineering, architectural design, construction, food safety consultation, equipment, and equipment installation" — and be ready to document your match: "Processors must provide a match of 100% of the grant amount." Awards are "for up to $50,000 for projects that last up to two years," and "the selection process is competitive." There was "$700,000 available for the 2026 grant program"; the pot for the next round is not published.

Beyond that, DATCP does not publish the application form's contents, the required attachments, or the scoring criteria outside the open window. A recorded walkthrough helps: the "2026 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Presentation Recording" is linked from the program page, and DATCP's virtual meat industry "Office Hours" sessions cover the grant — the August 20, 2026 session "featured DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist Jeff Swenson, who announced this year's Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant application period and other updates," with the recording and slides posted. Treat that blurb with care: it refers back to the closed 2026 round, and nothing else on the site announces a new one.

Who to ask: "Questions related to the grant application can be submitted to datcpdadgrants@wisconsin.gov."

Wisconsin DATCP — Agricultural Development Grants

Infrastructure grants from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to meat-processing establishments to grow the state's meat industry and support livestock-sector viability.



- Operators of a DATCP- or USDA-licensed meat-processing establishment located in Wisconsin.
- Applicants must be engaged in livestock harvesting or further meat processing.
- Rendering plants are not eligible.
- The proposed project must increase harvest capacity or the amount of meat product production.
- Applicants must have no outstanding state or federal penalties or violations.
- Applicants must be in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, DATCP, and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
- Matching funds equal to 100 percent of the grant award are required.
- DATCP employees and their immediate family members cannot financially benefit from grant-funded projects.

Maximum $50,000 per project; 100% match required. The 2026 round awarded $700,000 across 18 processors. Recurring annual program with January/February application deadlines.

Pre-register in SAM.gov, the GATA Grantee Portal, and IL.amplifund.com (Euna Grants). Complete grantee pre-qualification (authentication, registration, fiscal/administrative and programmatic risk assessments) and maintain 'Qualified' status through the review date. Submit within Euna Grants. 2026 cycle: opens Feb 18, 2026, closes Mar 27, 2026, awards sent May 1, 2026, funds must be spent by June 30, 2026.

Illinois Local Food Infrastructure Grant Administrator

Created by the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act (505 ILCS 92) and administered by IDOA beginning Illinois FY2025. Assists Illinois applicants with purchasing, leasing, renting, building, or installing infrastructure to increase market access of Illinois agricultural products, including value-added processing, livestock processing, milling, dairy, refrigerated vehicles, food hubs, and community kitchens.



Illinois resident entities (registered to do business in Illinois, home-based in Illinois) that store, process, package, aggregate, or distribute value-added agricultural products, limited to: an Illinois farm, cooperative, slaughter/processing facility, food business, or food hub each with fewer than 50 employees; an Illinois nonprofit; or a unit of Illinois local government. Requires active GATA registration and SAM.gov qualification at time of application.

Individual project grants: $1,000–$75,000. Collaborative project grants (lead entity receives funds): $1,000–$250,000. 25% match required except for high-need projects (match waived). $1.8 million available for Illinois FY2027. Ineligible costs: labor, marketing/promotion, production agriculture (hoop houses, irrigation, breeding, animal housing), wages, travel, building purchase/rental, land acquisition. Statutory authority: 505 ILCS 92; 8 Ill. Adm. Code 340.

1. Prior to submitting an application, confirm that your organization is registered with Grants.gov and the System for Award Management (SAM).
2. Follow the application instructions and submission requirements in the RFA and Grants.gov Application Guide (pdf).
3. To be considered for funding, all required forms must be submitted as part of a complete application package. Your application will not be considered if all required forms are not submitted together, you should review AMS’ Late Applications, Denials and/or Appeal Procedures (pdf) for further information.
4. Submit application through Grants.gov

Review the AMS How to Apply page for more details.

The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program (IAG) is designed to support the priorities of Tribal Nations in meeting the needs of traditional&#x2004;harvesting methods and indigenous animals. This project intends to fund projects which invest in Tribal Nations’ supply chain resiliency, indigenous animals, restoring local indigenous food systems, and indigenous processing methods, and expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution (communal or commercial) of meat, poultry, seafood, and other animals that provide culturally appropriate food and food security to tribal communities. The primary purpose of all projects must be to expand or enhance indigenous animals and meat processing capacity in Indian Country.



The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program (IAG) is designed to support the priorities of Tribal Nations in meeting the needs of traditional harvesting methods and indigenous animals. This project intends to fund projects which invest in Tribal Nations’ supply chain resiliency, indigenous animals, restoring local indigenous food systems, and indigenous processing methods, and expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, or distribution (communal or commercial) of meat, poultry, seafood, and other animals that provide culturally appropriate food and food security to tribal communities. The primary purpose of all projects must be to expand or enhance indigenous animals and meat processing capacity in Indian Country.

Tribal Governments of Indian Tribes as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act (List Act) of 1994 (Pub. L. No. 103-454), their wholly owned arms and instrumentalities, and joint or multi-tribal government entities are eligible to apply.

- 2023 IAG Request for Application (RFA)
- Project Narrative Template
- IAG Fact Sheet
- IAG Frequently Asked Questions

Local Food

Socially Disadvantaged

People Of Color

Historically Underserved

Grant applications may propose activities related to:
- Amenable species, including Siluriformes, that fall within the regulatory jurisdiction of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.
- Non-amenable species, including but not limited to bison, reindeer, game meat, etc. Seafood processing, including wild-caught fish, and other ‘exotic’ species that may fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, Applicants will follow applicable Tribal, local, state or federal laws and regulations for harvesting, hunting and gathering of indigenous animals.

All MPPEP applications must be filed through www.Grants.gov.
Please review the Application Checklist to ensure a complete MPPEP application is filed. Please review the following documents referenced in the application checklist:
- Application Template
- Environmental Checklist
- Feasibility Study Guide
All applicant entities must have a current and active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to file an MPPEP application. Register for SAM here.

MPEPP Question Portal

The Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) provides grants to help eligible processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the MPPEP to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the U.S. meat processing sector, and to help improve supply chain resiliency.



Eligible applicants for MPPEP-4 include entities that are currently engaged in the Primary Processing of cattle for commercial markets or toll process and have been in business for at least one year. Eligible applicants include For-Profit Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, Producer-owned cooperatives, Tribes, and Tribal Entities. Privately-owned entities must be Independently Owned and Operated, and all applicants must be Domestically Owned. Additionally, an applicant's Facility must be physically located and operating in a State.

Eligible applicants must be currently operating under a FSIS grant of inspection, grant of inspection under a Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, or a State Meat and Poultry inspection program with standards at least equal to Federal inspection.

Applicants must meet the definition of a Very Small Processor, a Small Processor, or an Intermediate Processor. Applicants that are nationally dominant in beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing are ineligible; for the purpose of this NOFO, nationally dominant is characterized as holding a market share greater than or equal to the entity that holds the fourth largest share of the market for beef, pork, chicken, or turkey processing.

Ineligible applicants include entities that have an active Federal Award through MPPEP Phase 1, MPPEP Phase 2, MPPEP Phase 3, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local Meat Capacity Grants program, or USDA AMS Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program. An active award means that the Period of Performance has not ended.

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

Cost share is required. Applicants will be required to identify sources and amounts that will make up the required cost share in the application and will need to verify cost share funding prior to final award approval.

Grant funding in the amount of $60 million is available under this Program. Funding will be divided equally into two separate competitions: one for Very Small Processors and Small Processors, and one for Intermediate Processors. Each competition will have its own ranking and award process.

Two types of applications for each of the funding competitions will be accepted:

1. Processing Expansion Projects. Awards will range from $50,000 to $2 million to support a range of activities to increase and diversify processing capacity of American Meat and Poultry, including Equipment-only purchases over $250,000, and necessary improvements, upgrades, renovations or retrofits to an existing Facility needed to install the Equipment. A match requirement of 50 percent of the Project Cost is required for Processing Expansion Projects.

1. Simplified Equipment-Only Projects. Awards will range from $10,000 to $250,000 for projects that only request the cost of Equipment and do not include renovation, labor, installation, or certification costs. A match requirement of 25 percent of the Project Cost is required for Simplified Equipment-Only Projects.

List of Agricultural Funding for Meat Processing