USDA recognizes the fundamental role small and mid-size meat processors play in the meat supply chains. In alignment with various USDA meat initiatives resources from two AMS cooperative agreements are provided below to support small and mid-size processors.
Empowering meat and poultry processors in the Upper Midwest
In 2021 the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) and USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) entered into a cooperative agreement to explore opportunities to strengthen meat processing industry resiliency and create solutions to position small and mid-size meat and poultry processors for success. It was designed as a regional pilot using the Upper Midwest (Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) as a “learning lab”.
The goal of this research was to comprehensively analyze obstacles and identify possible opportunities facing small and mid-size meat processors. To achieve this goal stakeholder engagement was prioritized to ensure relevant parties guided project outputs. This included regular communication, consultation, and collaboration with industry stakeholders to review and validate findings, solicit additional insights, and co-create solutions.
Please visit the AURI project website to access project resources that include:
- A short brief (pdf) outlining the scope of the project and resources.
- A needs assessment focused on small and mid-sized meat processors.
- A resource database that aggregates informational materials for processors.
- A funding sources guide the provides information on current funding opportunities.
- Guidance on utilizing processing byproducts, including hides.
- A report on financial barriers small and mid-size processors often encounter.
- Short courses on topics including financing a meat processing business, byproduct and hide utilization, and transitioning a meat processing business for sale.
Lessons learned from public investment in local and regional meat and poultry processing activities
In 2017, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) entered into a cooperative research agreement with the Niche Meat Processor Association Network (NMPAN) to assess 20 years of public investment in local meat and poultry processing activities by AMS in the form of competitive grants. This work was completed in January 2019.
NMPAN analyzed 35 projects most relevant to meat and poultry processing including 12 Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP), 21 Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and 2 Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), totaling $2,113,983 in grant funds. The grants were awarded between 1999-2015. The analysis included a review of available project documents and interviews of past project leaders.
Please visit NMPAN’s research page to learn more about the project and read the briefing report.
Case Studies
- True & Essential (T&E) Meats (Harrisonburg, VA) (pdf) - Federal funding helps established red meat processor serve more farmers and provide value-added processing services.
- Southern Tier West (Salamanca, NY) (pdf) - Use a feasibility study to determine if new meat processing facilities are warranted, and identify ways to remove barriers for local meat producers.
- Miles Smith Farm (Loudon, NH) (pdf) - Small-scale beef producer aggregates cattle from nearby farms to introduce meat sales at local hospitals and other institutions.
- Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (South Deerfield, MA) (pdf) - Use a data driven approach to identify cost-effective solutions that have the most impact on the regional meat supply.
- Heart of the Valley Growers’ Cooperative (Corvallis, OR) (pdf) - Launch a meat producers cooperative to collectively aggregate and market your product.
- Ecological Farming Association (Soquel, CA) (pdf) - Utilize a rapid assessment instead of a comprehensive feasibility study to save both time and money while still providing key answers.
Research Briefs
- Conduct Robust Research and Planning (pdf) – Obtaining a planning grant to conduct research and feasibility will improve project success and prevent expensive mistakes.
- Rapid Feasibility Assessments Could Provide All the Data You Need (pdf) – In many instances, rapid assessments will suffice and can save time, effort and money compared to extensive feasibility studies.
- The Right Stakeholders are Key (pdf) – Inviting and involving the appropriate stakeholders in the planning and delivery of a project improve the odds of success as well as long-term sustainability.
- Take an Expanded View (pdf) - Working up and down the meat supply chain and on a regional scale improves the success rate and positive impacts of meat-related projects.