MADISON, Wis. — On May 23, Gov. Tony Evers announced the creation of the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant Program, investing up to $10 million in the program to continue to grow Wisconsin’s meat processing industry and improve the long-term viability of the state’s livestock industry. Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Wisconsin meat processors will have the ability to apply for grants of up to $150,000.
“Wisconsin is home to hundreds of meat processors across the state who support our local communities, serve area farmers, connect with consumers, and contribute to our economy,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsin’s meat processors are a key component of a resilient supply chain, and the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant Program will help us continue to build critical infrastructure and increase processing capacity, ensuring the industry can thrive.”
The Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant Program will be distributed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Processors are required to provide a match of 100 percent of the grant amount, and grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process. The application period for the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant Program is now open.
With this announcement, Gov. Evers has now committed more than $15 million to Wisconsin’s meat processors. Earlier this year, Gov. Evers announced up to $5 million in the Meat Talent Development Program to help attract students to meat careers, provide financial support to students in Wisconsin meat processing training programs, support program development, and connect the meat processing industry with potential employees.
Additionally, the 2021-23 biennial budget also included $200,000 in each year of the biennium for Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants. These grants enabled meat processors to invest in their facilities and install equipment to expand their production and gain efficiencies. In the first year of the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants, DATCP received 100 applications requesting more than $4.4 million in funding. The first recipients of these grants were announced on May 5.
“Gov. Evers is a champion for Wisconsin’s livestock and meat processing industry, investing in critical areas including infrastructure improvements and workforce development. When demand for the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants far exceeded the budgeted dollars, Gov. Evers committed to develop the Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grant to address the unmet need,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “Through these historic investments, Wisconsin’s meat processing industry will continue to thrive and remain as a national leader for years to come.”
More information about the Meat and Supply Chain Resiliency Grants, including the application and FAQs, is available here.
Wisconsin Farmers Union commended the announcement.
“This funding is very needed and will be appreciated throughout rural Wisconsin,” said Wisconsin Farmers Union President Rick Adamski. “There are a lot of facilities out there that are operating on a shoestring budget. These grants will help them modernize and better meet the needs of their communities. Continued investment in infrastructure and the diversification of Wisconsin’s meat processing will make the whole industry more resilient.”
The funding helps fill a gap that was left when the inaugural meat processing grant program in the 2021-2023 biennial state budget was slashed from $2 million to $200,000 by the legislature. Demand for those grants far exceeded the budget, with DATCP receiving 100 requests totaling more than $4.4 million for the initial round of funding.
In the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, WFU convened a Meat Processing Task Force that developed a series of webinars and panel discussions to explore the complexity of the issue and potential solutions. Task force members also helped develop a network analysis and collect resources to further address issues within meat processing.
Findings from those efforts have been compiled in WFU’s report “Meat Processing in Wisconsin: Challenges and Opportunities.” The publication includes viewpoints and resources collected from key stakeholders, including state agencies, national partners, impacted farmers, small-scale processors, and labor organizations.
Investments in infrastructure are among the report’s proposed solutions to meat processing bottlenecks. Meat Processing Infrastructure was identified as a Special Order of Business by grassroots members of WFU over the last three years.
“Wisconsin Farmers Union responded to this crisis because of our members’ clearly defined struggles and needs in this area,” said WFU Executive Director Julie Keown-Bomar. “We hit this issue full-force with all parts of our mission — education, cooperation, and civic engagement — and we are delighted that our efforts have had some impact in helping the Governor’s office and legislators to recognize needs across our communities.”
Learn more at www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com/processing.
— Office of the Governor, State of Wisconsin
— Wisconsin Farmers Union