SAINT PAUL, MINN. — The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recently awarded $350,000 in one-time grants from its Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant Program.

With this program, eligible Minnesota schools can fund equipment purchases, facility renovation, curriculum development, faculty training and more process-related activities at new or established training programs for secondary school students.

Nine schools received grants through this funding, with a maximum award of $70,000. MDA announced this program in Dec. 2022. 

“Minnesota’s meat cutting and butchery training programs are vital to the future of our state’s processing industry,” Thom Petersen, agriculture commissioner for MDA. “The MDA is pleased to support these nine schools providing new pathways for students to receive more hands-on training experiences and learn about careers in this field.”

A full list of recipients can be found here.