By Andi Anderson
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced nine recipients of the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant, aimed at expanding small-scale meat processing across the state.
The grants, totaling $355,000, will assist small businesses many in rural areas with critical equipment purchases and facility upgrades, including new smokehouses, freezer systems, processing line expansions, and modernization of key equipment.
Secretary Naig made the announcement at Maxwell Custom Beef in Des Moines, one of the grant recipients.
“Choose Iowa is growing rapidly as more Iowans seek fresh, local products and more farmers and food businesses recognize the networking and promotional benefits offered to members. These grants are helping small meat processors across Iowa expand their operations to better serve both producers and customers," said Secretary Naig.
"Iowa’s livestock industry depends on accessible, high-quality processing, and these projects are a smart investment in that infrastructure. The strong demand for this Choose Iowa program also shows just how competitive these grants were, with far more applications than funding available. We’re proud to support these hard-working small businesses and look forward to seeing their continued growth.”
The Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant succeeds a previous program launched in 2021 under the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The state Legislature authorized the new program during the 2024 session with nearly $250,000, with an additional $250,000 allocated in 2025. This round combines funds from both fiscal years.
The program received 23 applications requesting over $1.5 million, demonstrating high demand from processors statewide. The $355,000 investment is expected to leverage approximately $1.94 million across nine counties. Grants provide up to $100,000 and require recipients to match funds at least one-to-one.
Recipients include Weaver Meats in Afton, Cherokee Locker in Cherokee, Maxwell Custom Beef in Des Moines, Tiefenthaler Quality Meats in Holstein, Milo Locker Meats in Milo, Friedrichsen Meat Company in Sutherland, Skoglund Meats in West Bend, Winthrop Locker in Winthrop, and Yetter Locker in Yetter, each using funds for projects such as smokehouse installations, freezer upgrades, and processing equipment modernization.
Full details on eligibility and requirements are available on the Choose Iowa website.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luoman
Categories: Iowa, Government & Policy, Livestock, Beef Cattle