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.