Friesla Blog: USDA
Interested in starting a meat processing business? Whether you’re early in your research, planning to open a new plant, or expanding an existing operation, explore our blog for practical information, real-world guidance, and stories of hardworking Americans who are getting after it.
At Friesla, we’re helping farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs build independent meat processing businesses in communities across the country. Explore our resources on starting a meat processing business, the basics of meat processing, USDA inspection requirements, available grants and funding opportunities, and other practical information on building and running a successful operation.
Posted October 27, 2026
USDA Opens $5 Billion SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program for Meat, Poultry & Seafood Processors
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of at least $5 billion in loan guarantees through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR)…
Read More
Posted September 8, 2026
Meat Traceability: A Small Meat Processor’s Guide to Lots, Recalls & Food Safety
“Where does my food come from?” Consumers are asking this question more often, and for independent meat processors, answering it can help tell a powerful…
Read More
Posted July 31, 2026
USDA vs. Custom Exempt Meat Processing: Choosing a Business Model
USDA-inspected and custom-exempt meat processing operate under very different rules, and those rules shape very different business models. Understanding USDA vs. custom-exempt meat processing—both what…
Read More
Posted May 13, 2026
USDA Launches $60M Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP IV) Grant Funding for Beef Processors
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has officially announced the availability of $60 million in grant funding for meat processors through Phase 4 of…
Read More
Posted May 7, 2026
SBA Manufacturing in America E2G Grant: Requirements, Eligibility & Application Steps
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced up to $50 million in funding through its Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow (E2G) Grant Initiative…
Read More
Posted December 23, 2025
A Simple Guide to USDA Inspection for Independent Meat Processors
Getting started under USDA inspection is a significant step for an independent meat processing plant. It opens the door to interstate commerce, creates new opportunities…
Read More
Posted August 28, 2023
Why Meat Processors Need A Robust Humane Handling Program
Animal welfare is a hot topic in today’s agricultural economy—and for good reason. Humane animal handling is a moral venture and carries high cultural expectations:…
Read More
Posted August 23, 2023
USDA Announces $123 Million to Expand Meat & Poultry Processing
USDA Rural Development announced the availability of $123 million in grant funding for meat processors through Phase 2 of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion…
Read More
Posted June 16, 2023
Explained: 4 Types of Inspection for Meat Processors
There are many steps to moving a finished animal from pasture or feedlot to steak on a plate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates…
Read More
Posted June 14, 2023
Q&A Session: USDA Grants & Mobile/Modular Meat Processing Equipment
Two meat processing grant programs are in the spotlight in summer 2023: USDA’s Local Meat Capacity Grant Program (Local MCap) and Indigenous Animals Harvesting and…
Read More
Interested in starting a meat processing business? Whether you’re early in your research, planning to open a new plant, or expanding an existing operation, explore our blog for practical information, real-world guidance, and stories of hardworking Americans who are getting after it.
At Friesla, we’re helping farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs build independent meat processing businesses in communities across the country. Explore our resources on starting a meat processing business, the basics of meat processing, USDA inspection requirements, available grants and funding opportunities, and other practical information on building and running a successful operation.
Posted October 27, 2026
USDA Opens $5 Billion SPUR Guaranteed Loan Program for Meat, Poultry & Seafood Processors
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of at least $5 billion in loan guarantees through the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR)…
Posted September 8, 2026
Meat Traceability: A Small Meat Processor’s Guide to Lots, Recalls & Food Safety
“Where does my food come from?” Consumers are asking this question more often, and for independent meat processors, answering it can help tell a powerful…
Posted July 31, 2026
USDA vs. Custom Exempt Meat Processing: Choosing a Business Model
USDA-inspected and custom-exempt meat processing operate under very different rules, and those rules shape very different business models. Understanding USDA vs. custom-exempt meat processing—both what…
Posted May 13, 2026
USDA Launches $60M Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP IV) Grant Funding for Beef Processors
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has officially announced the availability of $60 million in grant funding for meat processors through Phase 4 of…
Posted May 7, 2026
SBA Manufacturing in America E2G Grant: Requirements, Eligibility & Application Steps
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced up to $50 million in funding through its Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow (E2G) Grant Initiative…
Posted December 23, 2025
A Simple Guide to USDA Inspection for Independent Meat Processors
Getting started under USDA inspection is a significant step for an independent meat processing plant. It opens the door to interstate commerce, creates new opportunities…
Posted August 28, 2023
Why Meat Processors Need A Robust Humane Handling Program
Animal welfare is a hot topic in today’s agricultural economy—and for good reason. Humane animal handling is a moral venture and carries high cultural expectations:…
Posted August 23, 2023
USDA Announces $123 Million to Expand Meat & Poultry Processing
USDA Rural Development announced the availability of $123 million in grant funding for meat processors through Phase 2 of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion…
Posted June 16, 2023
Explained: 4 Types of Inspection for Meat Processors
There are many steps to moving a finished animal from pasture or feedlot to steak on a plate. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates…
Posted June 14, 2023
Q&A Session: USDA Grants & Mobile/Modular Meat Processing Equipment
Two meat processing grant programs are in the spotlight in summer 2023: USDA’s Local Meat Capacity Grant Program (Local MCap) and Indigenous Animals Harvesting and…