The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded over $560,000 in grants to enhance workforce development and hands-on training in meat processing across the state. This funding is distributed through two programs: the Meat Processing Train and Retain Grant program and the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant program, both aimed at strengthening the industry’s workforce and educational capacity.
Through the Train and Retain Grant program, $341,690 was awarded to three organizations supporting small- to medium-sized meat and poultry processors. The funding is designed to address workforce shortages by supporting hiring and retention efforts, including tuition reimbursement, sign-on and retention bonuses, and childcare stipends. The recipients include the Latino Economic Development Center, which will assist a new processor in Lismore and up to five additional facilities; the Region Five Development Commission, funding tuition and sign-on bonuses for processors within a 60-mile radius; and the Mapleton Economic Development Authority, which will hire and train two full-time employees at a new processing facility.
In addition, the MDA provided $222,360 through the AGRI MEAT Grant program in fiscal year 2025. This program supports schools in establishing or expanding meat cutting and butchery training programs by funding equipment, facility upgrades, curriculum development, and faculty training. Six schools across Minnesota benefited from this program, enhancing educational pathways for students entering the meat processing industry.
Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen emphasized that these grants are part of ongoing efforts to develop a skilled workforce and ensure a thriving meat processing sector. By investing in both industry training and education, Minnesota is addressing workforce needs while creating meaningful career opportunities for the next generation. The AGRI Program continues to support farmers, agribusinesses, and schools to advance the state’s agricultural and renewable energy sectors.
