USDA Announces New Meat Processing Grants for Rural Wisconsin

By Blake Jackson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has announced an additional $60 million in funding through Phase 4 of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP).

The initiative is designed to help independent meat and poultry processors grow their businesses, strengthen the food supply chain, and create more marketing opportunities for producers.

“This round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program will help create new markets for small and mid-sized meat processors in Wisconsin,” said USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson. “This funding will provide more options for meat processors, create more jobs, and options for consumers in rural Wisconsin.”

The program supports projects that expand or modernize processing facilities, purchase new equipment, implement advanced technologies, and provide workforce training. These investments are intended to strengthen Wisconsin’s rural economy while improving processing capacity across the state.

One business that has already benefited from the program is Crescent Meats, LLC in Cadott, which used Phase 1 funding to add roughly 20,000 square feet to its facility.

The expansion increased office, storage, and dock space while improving operational efficiency, food safety, and production capacity. The project also created 35 new jobs.

“The expansion has helped us negotiate with larger customers making us more efficient overall as a company,” said Crescent Meats, LLC Co-owner Wayne Lautsbaugh. “We are now able to acquire Safe Quality Food certification as well with the ability to have way better separation throughout the entire facility that will open even more opportunities.”

Phase 4 funding includes Processing Expansion Projects ranging from $50,000 to $2 million with a 50% cost share, and Equipment-Only Projects ranging from $10,000 to $250,000 with a 25% cost share.

Eligible facilities must primarily process cattle, although funding may also support poultry and other meat processing activities. Applications are being accepted through August 7, 2026, via Grants.gov. 

For more information about MPPEP Phase 4, contact wi-rd-bcp-so@usda.gov.

Photo Credit: usda