Up to $125 million is available for meat and poultry farmers through two new U.S. Department of Agriculture grant programs designed to expand processing options for tribal communities and underserved producers.
The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program are part of the $1 billion American Rescue Plan to help small and midsized meat and poultry processors expand, an April 19 news release said.
“This is the latest step in USDA’s transformational work to fill gaps and help small and underserved producers market their products, support thriving local and regional food systems by investing in processing capacity that’s closer to farms and alleviate major bottlenecks in food and agricultural supply chains,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “Importantly, we’re also taking steps to increase the overall availability of protein from indigenous animals like bison, reindeer and salmon, which have been the backbone of Tribal food systems for generations.”
Applications for both the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant Program will be accepted through July 19, the release reported. More information is available on the Indigenous Animals Grants webpage and the Local MCap webpage.
The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program “will provide up to $50 million to improve Tribal nations’ food and agricultural supply chain resiliency,” the release reported.
“The program will fund projects that focus on expanding local capacity for the harvesting, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling or distribution of indigenous meats,” the release said.
The Local Meat Capacity Grant program will provide up to $75 million in grants for projects that will build a resilient meat-and-poultry supply chain, according to the release.
“This grant program is targeted to support meat and poultry processors with smaller-scale projects, with a goal to increase processing availability and variety for local and regional livestock producers,” the release said. “The Local Meat Capacity Grants will fund both expansion and equipment-only projects through a competitive grant process.”
