The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced that 38 meat processors will receive grants through the 2024 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program. Now in its third year, this initiative aims to strengthen Wisconsin’s meat industry and enhance the long-term viability of the state’s livestock sector.
“With our meat products, people know they can trust the quality because Wisconsin’s meats are processed by some of the best workers in the world,” said Governor Evers. “Over the past five years, we’ve made significant investments to support our meat processors. Through the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants announced today, we are continuing to build on our progress to support the meat and poultry industry for future generations.”
This year, a total of $1.8 million was made available for meat processor grants, with a maximum of $50,000 per project. Recipients were selected through a competitive review process and are required to match 100 percent of the grant amount. These grants are part of the 2023-25 biennial state budget, which also includes an additional $200,000 in grants available in 2025.
DATCP received 70 applications totaling $3 million in grant requests. The 38 grant recipients and their planned projects include:
- Almena Meat Company, Inc., Almena: Replace and expand finished product freezer and bone cooler.
- Beck’s Meats, Inc., Kaukauna: Improve packaging efficiency.
- Bloomington Meats II LLC, Bloomington: Upgrade harvest floor hoists.
- Butcher Block 66 LLC, Stevens Point: Purchase a mixer-grinder and vacuum stuffer.
- Carl Buddig and Company, Sheboygan: Provide infrastructure for automated bagger and scale project.
- Crescent Meats LLC, Cadott: Increase harvest capacity.
- Eagle’s Peak Processing, Mondovi: Update freezer and smoker.
- Ebert Meats LLC (DBA Salmon’s Meat Products), Luxemburg: Purchase a patty and poly clip machine.
- Farm Market at SCF LLC, Bloomer: Expand harvest facility and purchase sausage making and smoking equipment.
- Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly, Slinger: Invest in a sausage facility wrapper.
- Geiss Meat Service, LLC, Merrill: Purchase mixer/grinder with metal detector and aging cooler.
- Green Bay Dressed Beef, LLC, Green Bay: Install new equipment for harvest area.
- Jacobson’s Market LLC, Chippewa Falls: Expand smokehouse.
- K & T Meat Processing, LLC, Sheldon: Expand cooler and remodel storefront.
- Kelly’s Pot Pies LLC, East Troy: Expand building and install cooler.
- Kettle Range Meat Company LLC, Milwaukee: Add to smokehouse.
- Lodi Sausage Company, Lodi: Purchase a carcass cooler.
- Louie’s Finer Meats, Inc., Cumberland: Renovate smokehouse.
- Malterer Meats, Fox Iron Ridge: Purchase a bowl chopper.
- Maple Leaf Meats LLC (DBA Bushy’s Meat Market), Independence: Purchase rollstock packaging.
- Maplewood Packing Inc., Green Bay: Enhance cooked sausage cutting and burger forming throughput.
- The Meat Schoppe, Lancaster: Create infrastructure for Passion for Pork online store.
- Northern Trails Meats LLC, Watertown: Purchase an automatic feed grinder and automatic mixer/grinder.
- NSB Slaughter Division LLC, Conrath: Improve harvest floor flow and data management.
- Old Germantown LLC, Germantown: Purchase vacuum stuffer and walk-in cooler.
- Ole’s Up North Sausage Co., LLC Processing LLC, Ashland: Upgrade equipment and training, including a vacuum sealer and mobile food cart.
- Salchert’s Market, Inc., St. Cloud: Address packaging and cold storage bottlenecks.
- Sheboygan Pasty Company, Inc., Sheboygan: Upgrade packaging line.
- Silver Creek Specialty Meats, Inc., Oshkosh: Purchase and install clipping equipment.
- St. Joe’s Country Market, La Crosse: Enhance processing efficiency.
- MB East LLC (DBA Haen Meats), Kaukauna: Purchase link cutter and bulker.
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls: Increase harvest and processing capacity.
- Weber’s Processing Plant, Inc., Cuba City: Repair, update, and expand freezer.
- Wenzel’s Farm, LLC, Marshfield: Purchase a snack stick cutter.
- Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn: Complete Phase I of processing expansion.
- Wisconsin River Brands, Inc. (DBA Wisconsin River Meats), Mauston: Construct harvest floor.
- Witt’s Sausage Haus, LLC, Shawano: Purchase food sealer, repair sausage mixer, and new sinks/faucets.
- Xiong Livestock LLC, Eau Claire: Implement onsite livestock and butchering services.
For more updates and information on meat processor news, visit DATCP’s website and sign up for email updates.
