cyber attack meat processing

UPDATE Aug. 17, 2022:

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that 12 meat processors have been awarded a total of nearly $3 million to implement processing efficiencies, expand or construct facilities at existing sites, assist in training and certification, and improve harvest services.

This is the third round of awards made through the Ohio Meat Processing Grant, and they will help businesses in 11 counties. Including the first two rounds, 128 grants have been awarded to Ohio meat processors in 59 of Ohio’s 88 counties, totaling nearly $28 million.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted recently announced additional state support to help strengthen the local meat supply chain and reduce reliance on out-of-state meat processors.

Seventy-five Ohio meat processors will receive grants totaling approximately $15 million to help them expand capacity and meet the growing demand for meat processing services.

Today’s awards are the second round of funding offered through the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program. Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted, in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, increased the amount of funding available through this program from $10 million to $25 million in April after the need for grants far exceeded the initial funding amount.

“I’m happy that we’ve now been able to help every qualifying meat processor who applied for assistance,” said Governor DeWine. “Meat processors are essential to ensuring that our grocery stores and restaurants have protein available to feed Ohio families.”

“Meat processors have struggled with the supply chain issues that have also impacted other industries,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “These grants will help meat processors increase productivity, which means they can increase the supply and lower costs for the consumer.”

The DeWine-Husted Administration prioritized the creation of the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program in the state’s 2022-2023 operating budget, which was passed by the Ohio General Assembly last year. Grant funding will be used to implement processing efficiencies, expand or construct facilities at existing sites, assist in training and certification, and improve harvest services.

Each company will receive a grant of up to $250,000, with half of the funds disbursed before projects are started and the other half awarded after the companies show that the initial funds were spent on eligible costs.

The Ohio Department of Development administered the Ohio Meat Processing Grant Program in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

“We are working to get these funds into the hands of processors as soon as possible,” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik. “Ohio’s meat processors are eager to implement their plans to improve operations, and we want to help them get started quickly.”

“Ohio’s meat and poultry processors are a critical component of Ohio’s food and agriculture industry,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda. “These funds will help our processors do a more efficient job at what they do best – provide safe and wholesome products for our consumers.”

The second round of  grants announced total $14,985,237 and will be awarded to meat processors in 45 of Ohio’s 88 counties. Including funds awarded in the first round, meat processors in 53 Ohio counties received grants totaling $24,978,289.

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
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Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
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Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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