DES MOINES, IOWA – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced on Feb. 3 that it would start the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant program.
Mike Naig, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, stated that small-scale meat processors and custom lockers should submit proposals to expand meat processing capacity in the state.
The new grant is part of the Choose Iowa brand and marketing program designed to identify and promote Iowa agriculture products.
“Iowa’s small-scale meat processors and custom lockers are important to our livestock industry and the vitality of our rural communities,” Naig said. “Through our new Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant Program, we are helping these small businesses upgrade and expand their processing capacity to better serve our farmers and ensure consumers have more fresh and local options.”
This new butcher program will replace a previous program created in 2021 that the Iowa Economic Development Authority administered. Iowa lawmakers authorized this latest program in the 2024 legislative session and allocated nearly $250,000 for the first year.
Possible projects named by Iowa government officials include creating processing, storage and meat transportation efficiencies.
An example of one project includes purchasing and installing equipment used in processing or storing meat products like refrigerators, freezers, meat processing equipment, packaging equipment, mobile harvest units and other items.
The notice added that grant dollars could be used to restructure existing facilities to increase efficiency or aid in constructing new or expanded plants.
“The Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant is essential for upholding the tradition of butchery and empowering small, independent businesses to flourish,” said Shelly Tiefenthaler, president of the Iowa Meat Processors Association and co-owner of Tiefenthaler Custom Meats in Holstein. “It also plays a key role in supporting local food systems and encouraging sustainability within the meat industry.”
Eligible grant awardees can receive up to $100,000 with applicants providing at least a one-to-one financial match. Grant funds are paid out as a reimbursement after the project is completed. The project cannot be in progress before a grant is awarded and must be able to be completed within 12 months.
Full details including financial matching requirements, application, eligibility, and scoring criteria are available on the Choose Iowa website.
People interested in a free review of its project plans can receive one from the Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Services (CIRAS).
Final applications for the Choose Iowa website will be made on March 31, with grants announced in May 2025. Projects for the grant must be completed between May 2025 and June 2026.