RICHMOND, VA. – Hidden Pines Meat Processing LLC is moving forward with plans to expand its operations and will receive a $40,000 grant toward the project, according to the Virginia Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund. 

The Madison, Va., processor plans to operate year-round now after previously being a seasonal, custom processor. Hidden Pines plans to make a $500,000 investment that will create at least seven jobs. The facility anticipates processing more than 1,100 beef cattle, hogs, lambs and goats each year.

“We feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity to provide quality meat processing services to the region and are hopeful that our ability to provide employment opportunities to our community will have a positive impact,” said Shawn and Ali Woodfolk, owners of Hidden Pines Meat Processing. “We would especially like to thank Madison County, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Administration for their support in launching this project with us.” 

Since 2003, Hidden Pines has been a large game processor in Virginia but the demand for local meat during the pandemic helped the company grow and seek to bolster its operation. 

The company will also offer USDA inspection services so farmers who process their animals at Hidden Pines can sell them in retail and wholesale locations outside the state. 

“Virginia’s livestock producers have been clear, in order to serve their customers and grow their businesses, they need more local processing options for their animals. That’s why I’m thrilled that this administration’s first AFID award is doing just that,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By partnering with forward-thinking counties like Madison, which understands the value of investing in their agricultural economy, to support the growth of a family-owned, farm-based business like Hidden Pines, we are bringing real benefit to Virginia’s hardworking farming community.”