The AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing (MPEM) Grant offers designated grants to facilitate the start-up, modernization, or expansion of meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing businesses. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota-raised livestock products by investing in equipment and physical improvements that support processing, capacity, market diversification, and market access.
Eligibility and funding priorities
Eligible applicants include:
- Individuals
- Farmers
- Businesses
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Nonprofit organizations
- Educational institutions
- Local governments
- Tribal governments
We will prioritize projects that:
- Create additional meat or poultry slaughter and processing capacity
- Increase access to kosher or halal markets
- Contribute to a food safety plan or increase food safety
Amount available
We expect to award $2 million through the AGRI Value-Added and AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk (MPEM) Grants.
Cash match
This grant requires a cash match. For the match:
- You are responsible for 50% of the first $50,000 to receive up to a $25,000 reimbursement.
- For costs after the first $50,000, you are responsible for 75% of the total remaining cost to receive 25% reimbursement, up to a maximum grant award of $150,000.
Example:
- You are working on a project that is expected to cost $400,000.
- We will reimburse $25,000 of the first $50,000 of expenses. After that, you would be eligible for $87,500 in grant reimbursement from the state and would have to contribute the remaining $262,500.
- In total, you would be eligible for $112,500 from the state and you would pay for the other $287,500.
|
Project Cost |
Grant Reimbursement |
Your Cost |
|
First $50,000 |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Remaining $350,000 |
$87,500 |
$262,500 |
|
Total Cost: $400,000 |
$112,500 |
$287,500 |
Applying
Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
- Carefully read the full MPEM Request for Proposals (PDF) for eligibility and requirements.
- You can also view the list of past projects or request a copy of an application to help you prepare.
- We encourage you to apply online.
- If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
- Once you are logged in, select “AGRI Meat, Poultry, Egg, and Milk Processing Grant.”
Contact us if you need this information in an alternative format.
Relationship to the AGRI Value-Added Grant
The AGRI MPEM and the AGRI Value-Added Grants are administered as a single program with two application tracks. Meat, poultry, egg, and milk processing businesses should use the information on this page as it’s tailored to these organizations.
