The U.S. Department of Agriculture this week announced $55.2 million in competitive grant funding available geared to small and mid-sized meat and poultry processors. Brock Asplen who runs Brock’s Butcher Block in Onida, South Dakota says its positive the USDA is seeing the need out there for more small and medium sized processors and is working to help them.

He says the pandemic drew attention to his industry and the federal government has done a great job responding with aid for producers and processors as well as small businesses.

Asplen says what’s needed now for the processing industry is more workers.

USDA is looking for applications for their grant program that increases processing capacity and better meets consumer and producer demand along with maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards.