Wisconsin Ag Department Announces 2024 Meat Processor Grant Recipients

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced that 38 meat processors will receive grants through the 2024 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program. Now in its third year, this program aims to grow Wisconsin's meat industry and improve the long-term viability of the state's livestock industry.

“When it comes to our meat products, folks know they can trust the quality because Wisconsin's meats are processed by some of the best workers in the world,” said Gov. Evers. “Over the past five years, we've worked hard to make sure our meat processors have additional investments and resources to help support their success. Through the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants we're announcing today, I'm proud that we're going to keep building upon our work and progress to bolster our meat and poultry industry for future generations.”

Thanks to the Governor and Legislature, a total of $1.8 million was available for this year's meat processor grants, with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each project. Grant recipients were selected through a competitive review process and are required to provide a match of 100 percent of the grant amount. These grants are available through the 2023-25 biennial state budget. As part of the biennial budget, an additional $200,000 in grants will be 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
Make improvements to packaging efficiency.

Bloomington Meats II LLC, Bloomington
Replace and upgrade harvest floor hoists.

Butcher Block 66 LLC, Stevens Point
Fund purchase of 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 plan.

Eagle's Peak Processing, Mondovi
Update freezer and smoker.

Ebert Meats LLC (DBA Salmon's Meat Products), Luxemburg
Fund purchase of a patty and poly clip machine.

Farm Market at SCF LLC, Bloomer
Expand harvest facility and fund purchase of sausage making and smoking equipment.

Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly, Slinger
Invest in purchase of a sausage facility wrapper.

Geiss Meat Service, LLC, Merrill
Fund purchase of mixer/grinder with metal detector and aging cooler.

Green Bay Dressed Beef, LLC, Green Bay
Purchase and install new equipment for harvest area.

Jacobson's Market LLC, Chippewa Falls
Complete expansion of smokehouse.

K & T Meat Processing, LLC, Sheldon
Invest in cooler expansion and storefront remodel.

Kelly's Pot Pies LLC, East Troy
Complete building expansion and cooler installation.

Kettle Range Meat Company LLC, Milwaukee
Complete addition to smokehouse.

Lodi Sausage Company, Lodi
Fund purchase of a carcass cooler.

Louie's Finer Meats, Inc., Cumberland
Complete renovation of smokehouse.

Malterer Meats, Fox Iron Ridge
Fund purchase of a bowl chopper.

Maple Leaf Meats LLC DBA Bushy's Meat Market, Independence
Invest in the purchase of rollstock packaging.

Maplewood Packing Inc., Green Bay
Make enhancements to cooked sausage cutting and burger forming throughput.

The Meat Schoppe, Lancaster
Provide infrastructure for the creation of Passion for Pork online store.

Northern Trails Meats LLC, Watertown
Invest in purchase of an automatic feed grinder and automatic mixer/grinder.

NSB Slaughter Division LLC, Conrath
Fund improvements to harvest floor flow and data management.

Old Germantown LLC, Germantown
Fund purchase of vacuum stuffer and walk-in cooler.

Ole's Up North Sausage Co., LLC Processing LLC, Ashland
Invest in upgrades, training, and equipment, including purchase of a vacuum sealer and mobile food cart.

Salchert's Market, Inc., St. Cloud
Provide infrastructure to address packaging and cold storage bottlenecks.

Sheboygan Pasty Company, Inc., Sheboygan
Implement packaging line upgrade to improve efficiency.

Silver Creek Specialty Meats, Inc., Oshkosh
Fund purchase and installation of clipping equipment.

St. Joe's Country Market, La Crosse
Provide infrastructure for processing efficiency project.

TMB East LLC (DBA Haen Meats), Kaukauna
Invest in purchase of link cutter and bulker.

University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls
Make investments to increase harvest and processing capacity.

Weber's Processing Plant, Inc., Cuba City
Invest in repair, update, and expansion of freezer.

Wenzel's Farm, LLC, Marshfield
Fund purchase of a snack stick cutter.

Wilson Farm Meats, Elkhorn
Complete Phase I of processing expansion.

Wisconsin River Brands, Inc. (DBA Wisconsin River Meats), Mauston
Complete construction of harvest floor.

Witt's Sausage Haus, LLC, Shawano
Invest in food sealer, repair sausage mixer, and new sinks/faucets

Xiong Livestock LLC, Eau Claire
Fund implementation of onsite livestock and butchering services.