Wisconsin Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant

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.

Wisconsin meat-processing establishments.

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.

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."