Meat Processor Resources
Below is a list of resources that are useful for beginning and existing meat processors in Kentucky.
Education Resources for Kentucky MEat Processors
KCARD – Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development is a non-profit organization that provides technical assistance and free business planning services to farmers and agricultural businesses in Kentucky.
KCARD’s Meat Processor Financials Template for meat processors’ financial projections has formulas built in and can provide a rough budget for a processing facility based on animals being processed.
Overview for Developing a Custom or USDA-Inspected Meat Processing Plant is a document developed by KCARD to help meat processors think through considerations and financials when developing a Custom or USDA-Inspected meat processing facility in Kentucky.
University of Kentucky Meat Science Program has links to publication and videos related to processing and marketing meat. UK Meat Science holds a butchering school and can provide training to staff at processing plants. Dr. Gregg Rentfrow provides trainings and instruction to those interested in opening a meat processing facility.
Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network is a national community of practice with university Extension-based people and organizations helping small meat processors thrive by sharing information and innovation from across the nation. NMPAN has put together a Beginner’s Guide to Local Meat Processing toolkit to get new meat processors started.
Center for Profitable Agriculture at University of Tennessee’s Initial Considerations for Small-Scale Livestock Processing Facility provides insight and assistance in answering some of the questions new meat processors will need to answer prior to starting their meat processing business.
Iowa State Guide to Designing a Small Red Meat Plant offers insights and procedures for planning the layout of a small-scale red-meat processing plant. The resource is a free downloadable PDF.
The Ohio State University’s South Centers Meat Processing Business Toolkit has region-specific resources to help determine the potential need for a meat processing facility based on current processing capacity and livestock production in a specific area.
Funding Resources for Kentucky MEat PRocessors
KCARD’s Ag Grant Facilitation Program is designed to help Kentucky farmers and agribusinesses find and apply for funding. To receive KCARD’s Grant Funding and Newsletters emails, please sign up below or email kcard@kcard.info to be added to the lists. The emails are a great way to learn about grant funding opportunities, happenings and opportunities in Kentucky agriculture as they become available.
Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation provides loan opportunities for agricultural businesses, beginning farmers, and other agricultural related projects.
Kentucky Agricultural Development Board funds innovative proposals that increase net farm income and affect tobacco farmers, tobacco-impacted communities, and agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products, finding new ways to add value to Kentucky agricultural products, and exploring new opportunities for Kentucky farms.
Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) offers several programs to assist agricultural businesses including the Kentucky Proud Promotional Grant, Buy Local, and a Third Party GAP Audit Cost-Share Grant. To qualify you must register to be a member of Kentucky Proud.