WASHINGTON, March 9, 2023 – The U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) introduced right now an funding of greater than $43 million in meat and poultry processing analysis, innovation and enlargement in help of its ongoing efforts to rework the meals system at each stage alongside the availability chain. This funding is funded via the American Rescue Plan and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
As a part of this complete funding, the University of Arkansas was awarded a $5 million grant from the AFRI Middle of Excellence for Meat and Poultry Processing and Meals Security Analysis and Innovation (MPPFSRI). As well as, $13.9 million in grants from the Meat and Poultry Processing Analysis and Innovation – Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis Section III – program have been awarded to 14 small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors. These grants are administered by USDA’s Nationwide Institute of Meals and Agriculture.
Moreover, one $25 million Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) grant was awarded to Wholestone Farms for a significant plant enlargement in Fremont, Nebraska. This grant was administered by USDA Rural Growth.
“Farmers depend on know-how to develop into extra environment friendly and worthwhile,” mentioned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Underneath the Biden-Harris Administration and thru historic funding investments, USDA continues to spend money on analysis processing enlargement that can create new and higher markets and broaden alternatives for small companies and rural communities. This funding will assist allow that imaginative and prescient.”
The AFRI MPPFSRI program promotes novel approaches to meat and poultry processing by implementing pioneering manufacturing system know-how that assesses threat administration and total enhanced meals security. The College of Arkansas, Middle for Scalable and Clever Automation in Poultry Processing, will incorporate primary and utilized analysis in meat and poultry processing and meals security to advertise technological innovation and reduce trade boundaries to security and processing.”
As a part of the MPPFSRI Section III funding investments, prior Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis (SBIR) or Small Enterprise Expertise Switch (STTR) awardees with related applied sciences have been invited to use for this funding alternative. Chosen awardees should present non-restrictive entry or non-exclusive licenses to any applied sciences or associated enabling applied sciences developed underneath this award to assist small and mid-size processors implement the know-how.
Examples of NIFA’s 14 funded MPPFSRI Section III tasks embrace:
- Biotronics Inc. of Ames, IA, developed and commercialized know-how with funding from USDA SBIR Section I and Section II grants that makes use of ultrasound scans for measuring backfat, muscle depth and intramuscular fats in its merchandise. With this new funding, Biotronics will optimize its know-how for small and mid-size packers to cut back operation measurement and prices, streamline processes, and reduce plant set up. Biotronics will validate on-line scanning and carcass processing, set up a compact prototype system, and practice plant operators for scanning and upkeep procedures. Biotronics will work with a small packing plant, The Pork Firm LLC, Warsaw, NC.
- Halomine, Inc., of Ithaca, NY, developed an antimicrobial coating with grants from USDA and the Nationwide Science Basis (NSF) SBIR that considerably improves poultry and meat processing sanitation know-how and necessary meals security advances. The coating, HaloFilm, neutralizes dangerous pathogens and prevents biofilms on varied surfaces throughout the poultry and meat manufacturing surroundings, thus lowering the incidence of foodborne sicknesses and growing productiveness. With this funding, Halomine will carry out pilot research and trials working with Steadfast Farms, LLC, Bethlehem, CT.
- Cinder Organic, Inc., of San Leandro, CA, will lengthen work from its NSF SBIR work to enhance meat and poultry sanitization. The know-how incorporates pure enzymes from volcanic springs to supply the world’s most acidic and warmth steady enzymes. Every day use of artificial chemical compounds causes accumulation within the surroundings, in aquifers and wastewater flows, and might impression employee security. Utilizing this extra pure system will scale back using ammonium-based disinfectants, enhance meals security and scale back occupational hazards in meat and poultry processing operations. Cinder Organic, Inc. will companion with Cream Co. Meats, Oakland, CA.
RD’s MPPEP funding:
- Wholestone Farms, with headquarters in Fremont, NE, is a cooperative owned by 195 unbiased pork producers that employs over 1,000 plant professionals and 200 workplace staff. The proposed plant enlargement will add roughly 112,000 sq. toes immediately linked to the prevailing facility, which is able to embrace an 89,000 sq. foot minimize flooring and 23,000 sq. foot rendering constructing. The enlargement will allow second shift operations and add roughly 950 new jobs. Second shift operations will double the processing capability.
“Investments like these will ship long-term enhancements in meat and poultry processing practices to profit customers, farmers and the surroundings,” mentioned Vilsack. “We’re excited to see how these investments will generate options that profit all People.”
Background
The MPPFSRI Section III targets are to quickly deploy rising applied sciences and make utilized analysis extra accessible to unbiased enterprise homeowners, entrepreneurs, producers and different teams, equivalent to cooperatives and employee associations who’re much less resourced. The areas wherein technological developments have been solicited tackle three areas prioritized by the Secretary: monitoring and bettering advanced processes, employee security and meals security.
MPPEP was designed to help capability enlargement tasks in live performance with different non-public and public finance instruments. For extra details about MPPEP, view the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program page.
NIFA invests in and advances agricultural analysis, schooling and Extension throughout the nation to make transformative discoveries that clear up societal challenges. For extra data go to, www.nifa.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all People every day in so many optimistic methods. Underneath the management of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is remodeling America’s meals system with a better give attention to extra resilient native and regional meals manufacturing, selling competitors and fairer markets for all producers, guaranteeing entry to secure, wholesome and nutritious meals in all communities, constructing new markets and streams of revenue for farmers and producers utilizing climate-smart meals and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clear vitality capabilities in rural America, and committing to fairness throughout the Division by eradicating systemic boundaries and constructing a workforce extra consultant of America. To be taught extra, go to www.usda.gov.
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USDA is an equal alternative supplier, employer, and lender.