Wisconsin Gov. Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are announcing that nine Wisconsin meat processors will receive 2025 Meat Processor Infrastructure grants. These grants help local meat processors with projects to modernize and grow their businesses, produce new products or expand their markets.

This announcement comes after earlier in July 2025, Evers signed the bipartisan 2025-27 Biennial Budget, which builds upon the governor’s and the Evers Administration’s efforts to support Wisconsin’s farmers and farm families, producers and processors. The bipartisan state budget includes several investments in the state’s agricultural industry, as well as an additional $1 million to bolster the successful Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program, which often receives far more requests than funding available.

“For the past six years, I’ve been proud to support our meat processing industry to ensure our farmers, farm families, producers, and processors have the resources and support they deserve so they can continue to produce the high-quality products Wisconsin is known for and keep our supply chain moving,” said Evers. “These grants work to uplift our local meat processors, bolster the industry, and grow innovation right here in Wisconsin, and I’m excited that we were able to secure additional funding in our bipartisan budget to continue to grow this highly successful program into the future.”

Thanks to investments secured by Evers in the 2023-25 Biennial Budget, a total of $250,000 was available for this round of the Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant Program, with a maximum of $50,000 allowed for each project. Grant recipients are required to provide a match of 100% of the grant amount. DATCP received 51 grant requests totaling more than $2.2 million.

The Meat Processor Infrastructure Grant recipients and their planned projects include Almena Meat Co. in Barron County, Good News Farm in Pepin County, Brock's Butcher Block in Monroe County, Country Pride Meats in Rock County, Malterer Meats in Dodge County, 45 Meats in Langlade County, Hickory Hills Country Meats in Calumet County, Butcher Block 66 in Portage County, and Hickerson Meats & Processing in Burnett County.

Almena Meat will use the grant funds to purchase a new efficient carcass cooler, doubling carcass storage space. Good News Farm will utilize the funding to purchase equipment to become an official poultry harvest establishment. Brock's Butcher Block will purchase a rollstock machine to alleviate harvest bottleneck, while Country Pride Meats will expand its building to include more retail space and a new sausage room. Malterer Meats is set to purchase a new Poly-clip machine to increase efficiency, while 45 Meats will purchase a mixer/grinder and scale to increase efficiency. Hickory Hills Country Meats will purchase equipment to increase harvest capacity. Butcher Block 66 will expand its freezer and hot water system to increase harvest capacity. Hickerson Meats & Processing is set to build a new processing and retail area.

Source: Office of the Governor, Tony Evers