ARTICLE
A second grant program made possible by the PA Farm Bill has opened. The Very Small Meat-Processor Grant Program will provide funding to reimburse a portion of inspection and certification requirements for businesses that meet the federal definition of “very small meat processors”. The grants make up to $50,000 available to meat-processing businesses with annual sales of less than $2.5 million and fewer than 10 employees, or new businesses aiming to be that size. Funds can be used to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of a first-time purchase of equipment necessary to comply with the Federal Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan, a requirement processors must meet to ensure that meat is safely processed. Grants can fund up to 50 percent of actual costs of equipment required to comply with federal HACCP certification, or the costs of technical assistance or advice from a food safety specialist to develop their plan. The PA Farm Bill, a package of legislation that provides support for and continued investments in the commonwealth’s agriculture industry, was modeled after the governor’s six-point plan to cultivate future generations of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. The legislation provides for business development and succession planning, accommodations for a growing animal agriculture sector, removing regulatory burdens, strengthening the ag workforce, protecting infrastructure, and making Pennsylvania the nation’s leading organic state. Beginning today, qualified businesses can apply for the grants at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/login.aspx. The application period closes on September 30, 2019. If you apply for this grant, please contact Sarah Rasmussen at srasmussen@pasen.gov in my office so that a letter of support can be drafted to accompany your application. Please include the project description and total amount you are requesting when requesting the letter. APPLY-- Interested parties can apply at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/login.aspx For more information, visit https://dced.pa.gov/programs-funding/ or Contact Scott Sheely at ScSheely@pa.gov or 717-346-0426
A second grant program made possible by the PA Farm Bill has opened. The Very Small Meat-Processor Grant Program will provide funding to reimburse a portion of inspection and certification requirements for businesses that meet the federal definition of “very small meat processors”.
The grants make up to $50,000 available to meat-processing businesses with annual sales of less than $2.5 million and fewer than 10 employees, or new businesses aiming to be that size. Funds can be used to pay for up to 50 percent of the cost of a first-time purchase of equipment necessary to comply with the Federal Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan, a requirement processors must meet to ensure that meat is safely processed.
Grants can fund up to 50 percent of actual costs of equipment required to comply with federal HACCP certification, or the costs of technical assistance or advice from a food safety specialist to develop their plan.
The PA Farm Bill, a package of legislation that provides support for and continued investments in the commonwealth’s agriculture industry, was modeled after the governor’s six-point plan to cultivate future generations of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry. The legislation provides for business development and succession planning, accommodations for a growing animal agriculture sector, removing regulatory burdens, strengthening the ag workforce, protecting infrastructure, and making Pennsylvania the nation’s leading organic state.
Beginning today, qualified businesses can apply for the grants at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/login.aspx. The application period closes on September 30, 2019.
If you apply for this grant, please contact Sarah Rasmussen at srasmussen@pasen.gov in my office so that a letter of support can be drafted to accompany your application. Please include the project description and total amount you are requesting when requesting the letter. APPLY-- Interested parties can apply at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us/login.aspx For more information, visit https://dced.pa.gov/programs-funding/ or Contact Scott Sheely at ScSheely@pa.gov or 717-346-0426