USDA officials recently announced the Department is extending to May 11, 2022, the application deadline for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), which provides funding to expand meat and poultry processing capacity. 

The decision to extend the deadline comes after Rural Development heard directly from applicants about challenges with System for Award Management (SAM) registration, which must be completed prior to filing an application. 

USDA Rural Development is making $150 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding available through the MPPEP. 

USDA is offering grants of up to $25 million each to expand processing capacity through a variety of activities, including but not limited to construction, expansion of existing facilities, and acquisition of equipment. 

USDA encourages applications that benefit smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, Tribes and tribal producers, socially disadvantaged producers, military veteran producers and underserved communities. 

For additional information, applicants are encouraged to visit the MPPEP website: www.rd.usda.gov/mppep. 

Questions may be submitted through the website or sent to [email protected]

All application materials can be found at www.rd.usda.gov/mppep or at www.Grants.gov.  

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 11, 2022, through www.Grants.gov.