MADISON, WIS. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced that 38 meat processors would receive grants through its 2024 Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program.
The program, now in its third year, aims to grow Wisconsin’s meat industry and improve the long-term viability of its 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 Wisconsin Governor Tony 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.”
In 2024, Evers and the Wisconsin Legislature made $1.8 million available for the 2024 meat processor grants, with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each project.
Grant recipients who are selected in the review process are required to provide a match of 100% 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 Co. Inc., Almena
Replace and expand the 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 Co., 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 Co. LLC, Milwaukee
Complete addition to smokehouse.
Lodi Sausage Co., 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 projects.
MB 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.
DATCP previously stated that Wisconsin has more than 500 state and federally inspected meat plants.
