Two Iowa projects receive about $1 million in federal funding to boost meat supply
Two western Iowa operations will receive about $1 million in financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand local meat production, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week.
Jordan's Meat Market, a startup in Marcus, will receive an $800,000 loan guarantee to cover construction and provide working capital for the northwest Iowa project.
Waubonsie Ridge Beef, a family-owned cattle operation west of Tabor in southwest Iowa, will receive a $210,000 grant to support expanded beef processing and marketing, the agriculture department said. The business sells beef and pork locally and online.
Altogether, the department provided $9.6 million in grants and loan guarantees to expand production regionally as well as boost rural economies. Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, told reporters the financing will help improve farmers' and ranchers' bottom line while strengthening the nation's food supply chain.
"We're looking at creative and comprehensive ... opportunities to expand more, new and better markets for meat and poultry, " Vilsack said. "Hopefully it will create more income for farmers and more choice for consumers" and more jobs.
Vilsack, who last year announced other meat processing grants and loans, said he expects more announcements in the months ahead.
More:A closed Iowa chicken processing plant gets new life with nearly $46 million in federal aid
More meat processing projects to be funded by USDA
In addition to the Iowa projects, the agriculture department said 23 projects would receive financing in 14 other states, including Iowa neighbors Illinois, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Funding for the projects comes from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act that President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021 to help the nation recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The health emergency led to widespread disruption in the nation's food supply chain when giant meatpacking plants with tightly packed production lines slowed or shut down as workers became ill, consumers experienced shortages and some producers killed livestock that couldn't be processed.
More: Pantries say food rescue hasn't returned, despite promises of 'immediate collaboration'
Donnelle Eller covers agriculture, the environment and energy for the Register. Reach her at deller@registermedia.com or 515-284-8457.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: USDA gives 2 Iowa projects about $1 million to boost meat supply
