Meat Production & Processing

Indiana Gives the Green Light for Meat Production & Processing

Since the onset of COVID-19, expanding the capacity of meat production/processing in Indiana has become an emerging priority. The State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA), the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD), and the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Agribusiness Initiative have been working diligently to support funding and technical assistance intended to fortify local and regional food systems by creating new revenue streams for the state’s producers and processors.

The goal is to “build in” resiliency so we face the future stronger than we have been in the past. In fact, ISDA intends to roll out a revolving loan fund for meat processors in January. Applications will open January 2024 and will be on a rolling application timeline through 2026.

Five of Indiana’s regions have been particularly proactive in seeking solutions by developing Agricultural Strategy Plans. Many of these plans identify the need for more meatpacking/meat-processing/meat inspecting in their local communities. Residents of these regions (representing 36 counties) could benefit from a USDA grant recently secured by PCRD and the Indiana SBDC Agribusiness Initiative to those interested in starting or expanding a meat-packing/meat-processing business through free technical assistance and scholarships awarded to Purdue University’s Boiler Butcher Basics Workshops, if they meet the following criteria:

Want to Receive Free Technical Assistance to Start or Expand Your Meat-Packing/Meat-Processing Business?

The Indiana SBDC Agribusiness Initiative can help you answer questions about funding options through no-cost, professional business advising and technical assistance. Advisors who have owned meat-packing/meat-processing businesses and/or been employed in the industry will share their experience and expertise with anyone interested. Click on the link below to find out how!

Do Your Meat-Packing/Meat-Processing Employees or Supervisors Need to Learn English or Spanish?

In addition to advising and skill-building, the USDA grant secured by PCRD in partnership with the Indiana SBDC Agribusiness Initiative, focuses on the communication needs of small Hoosier meat-packing/meat-processing companies. Responding to requests from employers, this grant will offer one session of Reality Spanish/Reality English (in collaboration with Ivy Tech Community College) for agribusiness. This pilot program will facilitate employee communication between speakers of both languages. The instruction will be focused on specific job-skill instruction for safety and team-building purposes, using a “connection not perfection” hands-on, language learning approach. This is the first of what PCRD hopes will be many trainings focused on native-language, job-specific skill and workplace English as a second language (ESL) instruction for emergent bilinguals in Indiana.

Attend a Meat & Greet Workshop

To find out more about how to access any of the opportunities mentioned above, please attend one of our Meat & Great Workshops either in-person or virtually. To register for one of these workshops, follow the associated info & registration link below.

Assistance for All!

There are opportunities for all meat packers and processors in Indiana through engagement with the Indiana SBDC Agribusiness Initiative – everyone (except the very largest companies with more than 1,000) qualifies for some type of FREE assistance, so don’t miss out! Contact the Indiana SBDC Agribusiness Initiative today for help with funding, expansion, government contracting, exporting, and so much more.