Champaign, Ill., Jan. 11th, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Illinois Betsy Dirksen Londrigan today announced a $250,000 grant to Hufendick Farms Inc as part of an initiative to help farmers, ranchers, processors and rural businesses diversify Illinois’ meat supply.
“Expanding opportunities and eliminating unnecessary obstacles in our food supply chain can help lower the prices that consumers pay at the grocery store and increase the availability of meat,” Dirksen-Londrigan said. “By investing in Illinois farmers, ranchers, processors and rural businesses, USDA is working to strengthen the communities they serve and ultimately maintain a strong economy for future generations”
Hufendick Farm Inc. is receiving a $250,000 grant to assist with expanding the market for their processed meat products. Hufendick Farm Inc. raises beef, pork, lamb, goat, and poultry for direct sales to consumers. This funding will help to expand their retail butcher shop located in Plainfield, Illinois, where they will process the harvested animals themselves into products such as sausage, bacon, and jerky.
Background
Funding is being provided through USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grant program, which helps producer-owned companies process and market new products. Grants may be used for planning activities or working capital expenses related to producing or marketing a value-added product including feasibility studies, business plans, processing of the value-added product, logo and website development and marketing and distribution. Independent agricultural producers, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and producer-controlled entities are eligible to apply.
Today’s investment is part of a $9.6 million nationwide investment recently announced by U.S. Secretary of Ag Tom Vilsack to increase independent meat processing capacity. Learn more here.
Illinois Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for thousands of Americans in rural Illinois. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/il.
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