Secretary Naig Invites Community Meat Lockers to Apply for Choose Iowa Butchery Equipment Grants

Secretary Naig Invites Community Meat Lockers to Apply for Choose Iowa Butchery Equipment Grants

Small-scale meat processors and custom lockers are eligible for funding to purchase equipment that expands processing capacity

DES MOINES, Iowa (Oct. 12, 2026) - Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited small-scale meat processors and custom lockers to apply for a Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Equipment Only Grant. Eligible businesses may receive up to $20,000 of state funding to purchase cold storage, meat processing and/or packaging equipment that helps increase meat and poultry processing capacity in Iowa.

"As I travel the state meeting with farmers, I consistently hear about the need for more local meat and poultry processing. That need continues to intensify as we see larger plants closing and Iowa's livestock producers working to grow the U.S. beef herd," said Secretary Naig. "The Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation grant program helps local meat lockers and custom processors grow their businesses to better serve local farmers and consumers. I will continue asking the Iowa Legislature for additional funding for this and other Choose Iowa programs that support farm families, small businesses and rural communities, and help strengthen the local food system."

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has allocated $105,000 to support the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant program in FY2027.

"The Butchery Innovation Grant Program continues to be an important tool for Iowa's independent meat processors," said Iowa Meat Processors Association President Katie Anderson, co-owner of Edgewood Locker in Edgewood. "These investments help businesses modernize operations, improve efficiency, and create opportunities for future growth while continuing to provide high-quality processing services to Iowa livestock producers and consumers."

How to Apply

State or federally inspected, small-scale meat processors based in Iowa are eligible to apply for the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Equipment Only Grant. Eligible businesses may receive up to $20,000 to purchase cold storage, meat processing and/or packaging equipment that helps increase meat and poultry processing capacity in Iowa. Applicants must provide at least a one-to-one financial match. Grant funds are paid out as a reimbursement after the project is completed. Full details including financial matching requirements, application, eligibility, and scoring criteria are available on the Choose Iowa website.

Grant applications should be submitted through the link provided on the Choose Iowa website by 12 p.m./CT on Nov. 20, 2026. Grant recipients will be announced in December 2026. The project cannot be in progress before the application is submitted and projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Questions about the Butchery Innovation Equipment Only Grant or the Choose Iowa marketing program and member benefits may be emailed to [email protected].

In 2025, IDALS awarded $355,000 in Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation grants to nine local businesses. Approved projects required at least a one-to-one financial match, generating a total investment of about $1.94 million to expand local processing capacity in nine Iowa counties.

About Choose Iowa

Choose Iowa is the state's signature branding and marketing program to promote Iowa-grown, Iowa-raised and Iowa-made food, beverages and agricultural products. Initiated by Secretary Naig and administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Choose Iowa continues to build momentum with nearly 360 members statewide. Through its growing membership, consumer promotion, grant programs and food purchasing initiatives, Choose Iowa is creating new market opportunities for Iowa farmers and small businesses while making it easier for consumers to find and purchase Iowa products.