Iowa Meat Processor & Locker Resource Library

Iowa Meat Processor & Locker Resource Library

Training and Business Development Resources

Iowa has several work-based education and job training programs available to help meat lockers and processors identify, develop and train skilled workers. In addition, a variety of business development and grant options exist to help the community-based meat processing industry.

This page serves as a central location for training, grant programs and other industry resources available through the state of Iowa for the meat processor and community meat locker industry.

Information below is provided through Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Department of Agriculture, Iowa State University, and the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS).

Top Links

Resources

Registered Apprenticeships

Iowa’s leading Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs offer an earn while you learn model proven to help jumpstart new careers and support workforce pipelines for participating employers.

As a Registered Apprentice, you get direct, on-the-job experience while earning a wage – and acquire little to no debt during your training. Programs run from one to five years, depending upon the occupation.

The Iowa Office of Apprenticeship supports both individuals looking to begin apprenticeships and employers interested in creating programs to help them train, recruit, and retain workers. 

For more information, visit https://workforce.iowa.gov/apprenticeship or contact  RegisteredApprenticeship@iwd.iowa.gov.

260F Iowa Jobs Training

The Iowa Jobs Training Program (260F) provides job training services that help companies train their own employees and equip them with new skills. To be eligible, your business must work with local community colleges to assess training needs and determine funds that are available to provide training.

By participating in the program, your company can benefit from valuable employee training at a reduced or no cost. To do so, you must be engaged in interstate or intrastate commerce for the purpose of manufacturing, processing, assembling products, warehousing, wholesaling, or conducting research and development. 

For more information, contact workforcetraining@iwd.iowa.gov.

Summer Youth Internship Program

Future Ready Iowa’s Sumer Youth Internship Program is a unique grant opportunity aimed at creating valuable internship programs in Iowa’s communities.

The program has an annual grant process, and each summer helps local youth build key workforce skills, primarily in high-demand fields. Funds may be used for services and resources to support costs of program participants, program staff time, and/or indirect costs. 

For more information, visit www.futurereadyiowa.gov/youth-intern-projects.

Iowa State University - Meat Science Short Courses

The Meat Science department at Iowa State University offers a number of short courses throughout the year. Open to all individuals, the courses focus on providing valuable information to those in the meat processing and meat trade industry, food production, and other relevant areas in meat science. 

For more information, visit https://www.meatscience.ag.iastate.edu/shortcourses

Butchery Innovation - Grant Program

Assisting the Expansion, Renovation & Establishment of Butchery Facilities

The Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Fund, now administered by Choose Iowa and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, was created in 2021. The fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants to businesses for projects relating to small-scale meat processing, licensed custom lockers and mobile slaughter units.

For more information, visit: https://www.chooseiowa.com/grants/butcheryinnovation.

Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship - Meat Inspection Bureau

Central location for all regulatory guidelines, inspection programs, processing/labeling requirements and information for the Iowa meat industry. https://iowaagriculture.gov/meat-poultry-inspection-bureau

Iowa Meat Processors Association

The Iowa Meat Processors Association is an organization comprised of beef, pork, wild game, and poultry processors and allied businesses from throughout the state of Iowa. https://www.iowameatprocessors.org.

Iowa State University - Meat Science and Extension

Iowa State University provides additional resources and guide publications to assist producers and individuals interested in opening a plant. 

For more information, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/meat-processing

Center for Industrial Research And Services (CIRAS)

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is part of the College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University. Since 1963, CIRAS has partnered with Iowa companies and communities to help them prosper and grow. 

For more information, visit https://www.ciras.iastate.edu.

Meat processing/Locker Contact:

SBA

The Small Business Association can help support Iowa businesses with planning, development and loan considerations. For your local contact/ office, click on the locations link in the upper navigation of the home page: Home - Iowa Small Business Development Centers (iowasbdc.org).