The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has announced the FY25 awardees of the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Grant Program, providing critical support to strengthen Iowa’s small and mid-sized meat processors.
In this funding round:
- Choose Iowa received 23 grant requests totaling over $1.5 million.
- Awards totaling $355,000 will leverage a combined investment of approximately $1.94 million across nine counties.
These investments help expand processing capacity, modernize equipment, improve efficiency, and strengthen local meat supply chains across the state.
CIRAS Technical Assistance and Reviews
CIRAS supported the program by conducting 23 operational and facility reviews for participating processors.
These reviews help processors identify operational improvements, prioritize investments, and prepare competitive applications aligned with program goals. CIRAS support ensures grant dollars are paired with actionable recommendations that improve long-term performance and sustainability.
The Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Grant Program reflects Iowa’s continued commitment to strengthening local processing infrastructure and supporting rural economic development.
Keep an eye on the Choose Iowa website for the next round of butchery and revitalization grants.
For additional details, contact Ben Drescher at bdresche@iastate.edu or ChooseIowaGrant@IowaAgriculture.gov.