The Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant Program provides the opportunity for Minnesota schools to establish or enhance meat cutting and butchery training programs.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/01/2025
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
Grants fund equipment, facility renovation, curriculum development, and faculty training for new and established meat cutting programs. Priority will be given to applicants that collaborate with meat cutting and butchery programs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State) or local industry partners.
This grant will prioritize:
- Projects that coordinate with meat cutting and butchery programs at Minnesota State (i.e., Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College) and local industry partners.
- Projects that become self-sustaining after grant period.
Grant outcomes will include:
- Increased number of Minnesota students obtaining knowledge and skills to enter a career in the meat processing industry.
- Increased opportunities for Minnesota students to access training in meat cutting and butchery.
Funding Information
A total of $225,000 is available.
- Schools may apply for up to $75,000.
- Up to 10% of each school’s award may be used for faculty training.
- Schools are not required to contribute matching funds.
Eligible Projects
Project examples include but are not limited to:
- Purchase of equipment required for a meat cutting program (e.g., refrigeration units, tables, saws, knives, cleaning and sanitizing equipment)
- Contractor costs and materials for installation of approved equipment, including plumbing, drainage, venting, and electrical work
- Facility renovation to accommodate meat cutting
- Purchase of livestock and livestock products for instructional use
- Curriculum development for new or enhanced meat cutting program
- Licensing and permitting costs required for new or enhanced meat cutting program
- Training faculty to teach the fundamentals of meat processing (limited to 10% of the grant funding).
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants include public or private schools or school districts in Minnesota that seek to establish or enhance meat cutting and butchery training for secondary students (Grades 6 through 12, unless otherwise designated by the school district).
- Priority will be given to applicants that collaborate with meat cutting and butchery programs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State) or local industry partners.
For more information, visit MDA.
