The Rapid Response Mini-Grant for Livestock Processing (Application Deadline 11/30/20) helps processors and certain producers respond to market issues causes by COVID-19. The program aims to increase slaughter, processing, and storage capacity for livestock products until existing markets return or new markets are developed.
The Rapid Response Mini-Grant for Livestock Processing (Application Deadline 11/30/20) helps processors and certain producers respond to market issues causes by COVID-19. The program aims to increase slaughter, processing, and storage capacity for livestock products until existing markets return or new markets are developed.
The Safe on the Farm Direct Marketing Cost-Share Program (Application Deadline 12/21/20) provides financial assistance to Minnesota U-Pick Operations, On-Farm Markets, and Community Support Agriculture (CSA) Farms to purchase supplies and equipment to prepare for safe sales during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AGRI New Markets Cost-Share Program (Application Deadline 1/10/21) can help your Minnesota farm or food or beverage company take advantage of market opportunities through E-commerce, merchandising, tradeshows, or store demos.
Farm Business Management Scholarships (Application Deadline 11/14/20) will be available to farmers negatively affected economically by COVID-19. Priority will be given to farmers engaged in any stage of mediation or bankruptcy between March 2, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
Farm Business Management Scholarships (Application Deadline 11/14/20) will be available to farmers negatively affected economically by COVID-19. Priority will be given to farmers engaged in any stage of mediation or bankruptcy between March 2, 2020 and December 30, 2020.
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.
