Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant

A: Yes, you may propose curriculum that covers any aspect of meat processing. However, the focus of the RFP is on cutting and butchery, and you are encouraged to emphasize these components to the extent possible.

A: Yes. In your application, you should explain the rationale for renting the mobile unit rather than purchasing it.

A: Equipment or facility renovation that is funded by the grant can be located at a local industry partner, provided that you clearly describe how the expenditure primarily benefits students rather than the meat processing facility. Meat processors are eligible to apply for the AGRI Value-Added Grant for investment in equipment for their own business needs.

A: Purchases must be made during the grant period. Grant funds may be used to purchase products that will be used after the grant period, as long as the products are received by the contract end date. You are encouraged to provide an estimated range of dates for receipt of purchases on the timeline in your application. Expenses for equipment installation and other services are eligible only if incurred and provided during the grant period.

A: Applicants determine which local businesses are appropriate to include in their proposed programming and define the roles and responsibilities of each partner. We encourage you to clearly describe the proposed framework of the partnership in the collaboration section of your application.

A: No, applicants determine the appropriate grade levels to serve with the proposed secondary curriculum, as long as those grades are included in the district's secondary school grades.

A: Yes, grant funds could be used to establish a meat cutting certificate at a post-secondary institution, but the funding would need to flow through a secondary school/school district and produce an end result that benefits secondary students. The post-secondary institution cannot apply independently.

A: Yes, only secondary career and technical education programs are eligible so they would need to be the primary recipient, and if awarded a grant, will be the grantee.

A: No, the college or university doesn't need to have an established program at the time of application. If funding is approved, instruction that benefits secondary career and technical education students must be offered, but the instruction doesn't need to be a part of a formal program.

A: The MEAT Grant is intended to teach students about meat cutting and butchery. Your application should focus on the necessities for this type of instruction rather than what is needed for food preparation. If you apply for items that the review committee determines to be outside the scope of the purpose of the grant, they will have the ability to recommend funding for just those items that are considered eligible.