Each year the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recognizes the top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell cou
Can wild game be donated to food shelves or food pantries?
Typically, wild game products cannot be donated because they are not produced under continuous inspection. An exception for the donation of wild game processed at licensed and permitted meat plants is available to processors participating in the MDA Hunter-Harvested Venison Donation Program. These processors may be reimbursed by the MDA in exchange for processing hunter-harvested venison destined for donation to food banks, food shelves, and feeding programs. Processors participating in this program must be licensed.
Wild game processing is any additional handling or preparing of field-dressed wild game, from cutting and skinning a carcass, to curing, cooking, or smoking. Wild game processors conduct these activities as a commercial business. Processing wild game only for yourself or immediate family, household, or hunting party members does not fall under the wild game processing requirements.
If you exclusively process wild game (no other meat or poultry processing) as an individual you may not need a license or permit to operate, provided you meet all of the following criteria:
- You do not own any other meat, poultry, or food business subject to licensing under the Minnesota Consolidated Food Licensing Law.
- You handle only raw wild game products and do no preparation beyond cutting, grinding, and packaging.
- You return all products directly to the owners/hunters (no sales or donations), and you label all products “NOT FOR SALE.”
- You process no more than 200 deer in a calendar year, or have $20,000 or less in receipts for wild game processing services in a calendar year, whichever is greater.
A wild game processor who does not meet all the above criteria will need to obtain a food handler’s license and custom exempt processing permit issued by the MDA Meat Inspection Program. For more information, go to Custom Exempt Meat Processing or contact the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division at 651-201-6300.
Wild game processors who do meet the exemption criteria are highly encouraged to register with the MDA. By registering, the MDA will acknowledge the processor's exempt license status, which will assist MDA staff with investigations if complaints or other information are received about a wild game processor.
Prior to August 2020, wild game processing facility and operational requirements were similar to those applied to meat products that could be sold, requiring wild game processors to maintain retail food code HACCP plans and meet other requirements intended for meat processed for sale. However, because wild game products can only be processed and returned to the owner of the animal, and are not allowed to be sold, wild game processing operations are more similar to traditional custom exempt processing operations. For this reason, wild game processing was moved under the same regulatory oversight as custom exempt processing, as is appropriate for the level of food safety risk associated with this type of operation. In August 2021, the law was further revised to exempt small scale wild game processors who have no other food handling operations from the requirement to be licensed and permitted as custom exempt processors.
Wild game products may not be sold and must be labeled “NOT FOR SALE,” regardless of whether the products come from licensed or license-exempt processors. These products may not be used in any way in a food facility because they are not processed under continuous inspection.
Typically, wild game products cannot be donated because they are not produced under continuous inspection. An exception for the donation of wild game processed at licensed and permitted meat plants is available to processors participating in the MDA Hunter-Harvested Venison Donation Program. These processors may be reimbursed by the MDA in exchange for processing hunter-harvested venison destined for donation to food banks, food shelves, and feeding programs. Processors participating in this program must be licensed.
Wild game processing is any additional handling or preparing of field-dressed wild game, from cutting and skinning a carcass, to curing, cooking, or smoking. Wild game processors conduct these activities as a commercial business. Processing wild game only for yourself or immediate family, household, or hunting party members does not fall under the wild game processing requirements.
What is "wild game processing"?
Wild game processing is any additional handling or preparing of field-dressed wild game, from cutting and skinning a carcass, to curing, cooking, or smoking. Wild game processors conduct these activities as a commercial business. Processing wild game only for yourself or immediate family, household, or hunting party members does not fall under the wild game processing requirements.
Category
License Title (formerly Alternate License Title)
Livestock Dealer License
June 2, 2025
Minnesota is proud to host this year’s National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference, “Lakes, Land, and Legends,” June 23–26, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, MN. Organized by the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization (NAITCO), this premier professional development event brings together Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, volunteers, and agricultural literacy leaders from across the country. Participants will take part in workshops that connect agriculture to core subjects in alignment with national education standards. Traveling workshops will also give attendees a firsthand look into Minnesota’s diverse agricultural landscapes.
Twenty-five teachers from across Minnesota have been awarded full scholarships to attend the conference, thanks to the support of the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation. Representing a wide range of subject areas and schools from Kelliher to Worthington, these educators are committed to connecting students with agriculture though everyday learning.
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson will deliver welcome remarks as the conference kicks off on Tuesday, June 24th. “Minnesota’s agriculture is as rich and varied as the landscapes that shape it," said Commissioner Petersen. "From our lakes and forests to our family farms and farmers markets, there’s a story to be told in every corner of our state. I’m excited to welcome educators from across the country to experience the spirit of Minnesota firsthand through the 'Lakes, Land, and Legends' conference."
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the MAITC Foundation that seeks to increase agricultural literacy through K-12 education. MAITC programs help students connect real world agricultural content to subjects like science, social studies, language arts, and nutrition. For free classroom resources, visit minnesota.agclassroom.org.
The National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization is a 501c3 nonprofit that works to improve agricultural literacy nationwide by helping teachers and students understand the value of agriculture. Through strong partnerships with state programs and its annual conference, NAITCO has reached millions of students and thousands of teachers across the country. To learn more or register for the conference, visit agclassroom.org/conference or contact events@naitco.org.
2025 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference Scholarship Recipients
- Jody Ruen – Lanesboro Public School, Lanesboro
- Beth Sletta – Minnesota Virtual Academy, Rogers
- Kerry Schulte – AFSA K-12 Charter School, Circle Pines
- Kimberly Penning – Owatonna High School, Owatonna
- Carrie Stencel – Princeton Intermediate School, Princeton
- McKenzie Gregory – Rockford Elementary Arts Magnet School, Buffalo
- Andrea Finnigsmier – Thomas Lake Elementary, Eagan
- Lisa Patrick – Minnetonka High School, Plymouth
- Savannah Stafford – Lake Ripley Elementary School, Grove City
- Tiffany Kobbermann – Minnewaska High School, Hancock
- Julie Bauman – Prairie Elementary, Worthington
- Libby Wickum – Northome School, Mizpah
- Beth Gruenke – Hilltop Elementary, Inver Grove Heights
- Carrie Allord – St. Francis, Fort Ripley
- Meghan Sunderland – MACCRAY, Montevideo
- Hannah Seeger – JA Hughes, Red Lake Falls
- Renae Swanson – Red Lake Elementary, Red Lake, located in the Red Lake Nation
- Tiffany Kortbein – Greenvale Park Elementary, Northfield
- Marie Kruse – Bluff View Elementary, Lake City
- Haven Fillbrandt – Northern Light Community School, Grand Rapids
- Heather More – Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Elementary, Mapleton
- Sara Browen – Worthington Middle School, Worthington
- Amy Mastin – Kelliher High School, Kelliher
- Jeni Braidenbach – Minnetonka High School, Minnetonka
- Jodi Landro – Thomas Lake Elementary, Eagan
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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us
