Tag: 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 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 March 17, 2025
Video Stories of Small, Local Meat Processing Businesses
A local meat processing business starts with a vision: an idea, answer to a question, or solution to a problem. What if you have this…
Read More
Posted January 27, 2025
From Feeder to Eater: Real Stories of Local Meat Processors
Every Friesla Meat Processing System is different, and the goals and operational setups are diverse. But the one thing in common is that all of…
Read More
Posted August 30, 2024
Investing in Local Meat Processing: Impact, Opportunity & Income Diversification
Local meat processing has gained attention in recent years partially because of backlogs during COVID, but also because it is recognized as a cornerstone of…
Read More
Posted June 10, 2024
Meat Processing Plant Sizes & Where Friesla Fits
The meat processing industry has consolidated dramatically over the past several decades, moving from local and regional systems to a highly centralized model—even though small…
Read More
Posted March 29, 2024
Handling Wastewater in a Small Meat Processing Plant
Meat harvest, fabrication, packaging, and sanitization generates waste byproducts: from bones to blood, heads, hides, inedibles, offal, and wastewater. In another blog post, we covered…
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 July 20, 2023
Mobile Harvest Units: An Alternative to the Traditional Slaughter Floor
Designing, engineering, permitting, and constructing a new building can be costly and time-consuming. A meat processing plant is no exception, which is why mobile harvest…
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 May 15, 2023
HACCP 101: Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance For Meat Processors
When U.S. consumers purchase steaks, ground beef, or a Thanksgiving turkey, they expect it to be safe to eat. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture…
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 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 March 17, 2025
Video Stories of Small, Local Meat Processing Businesses
A local meat processing business starts with a vision: an idea, answer to a question, or solution to a problem. What if you have this…
Posted January 27, 2025
From Feeder to Eater: Real Stories of Local Meat Processors
Every Friesla Meat Processing System is different, and the goals and operational setups are diverse. But the one thing in common is that all of…
Posted August 30, 2024
Investing in Local Meat Processing: Impact, Opportunity & Income Diversification
Local meat processing has gained attention in recent years partially because of backlogs during COVID, but also because it is recognized as a cornerstone of…
Posted June 10, 2024
Meat Processing Plant Sizes & Where Friesla Fits
The meat processing industry has consolidated dramatically over the past several decades, moving from local and regional systems to a highly centralized model—even though small…
Posted March 29, 2024
Handling Wastewater in a Small Meat Processing Plant
Meat harvest, fabrication, packaging, and sanitization generates waste byproducts: from bones to blood, heads, hides, inedibles, offal, and wastewater. In another blog post, we covered…
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 July 20, 2023
Mobile Harvest Units: An Alternative to the Traditional Slaughter Floor
Designing, engineering, permitting, and constructing a new building can be costly and time-consuming. A meat processing plant is no exception, which is why mobile harvest…
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 May 15, 2023
HACCP 101: Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance For Meat Processors
When U.S. consumers purchase steaks, ground beef, or a Thanksgiving turkey, they expect it to be safe to eat. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture…