SigMT

32 | SIGNATURE MONTANA Federal, state, and local grants and loan guarantees have supplemented meat market development in the last few years. e U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognized the opportunity to offset processed meat shortages and the need for more processing plants and meat markets aer COVID-19 and a security breach at one of the five main processing plants, according to Jim McCafferty, a consultant of regulatory affairs for JMC Consulting in Great Falls, Mont. "ey realized that having multiple smaller plants than five big ones would be beer," he explains. "e agency provided grants and loan guarantees to lots of different types of facilities to help them get started." e Montana RancHers LLC meat depot, headquartered in Lewistown, Mont., received a USDA Value-Added Producer Grant in 2021. According to the USDA website, this three-year grant helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. "Taking live beef to beef cuts is considered adding value," explains Lewistown rancher Abby Majerus, who partnered with fellow ranchers Mariah Shammel of Hilger, Mont., and Jessi Olsen of Moore, Mont., to form Montana RancHers LLC to sell their beef directly to consumers and wholesale to local retail establishments. "We use these grant funds to help pay the processing fees for our beef, mileage to pick up and deliver it, as well as for our website and e-commerce site." e USDA Value-Added Producer grant is available annually, and Montana had the second most awardees in 2022, says Majerus. Three central Montana families partnered to market their beef products and are a licensed meat depot, where processed meat is stored in an inspected facility. The Montana RancHers – Mariah Shammel (far left) of Hilger, Mont., Jessi Olsen (middle) of Moore, Mont., and Abby Majerus (right) of Lewistown, Mont., – market whole, half, quarters and cuts of beef in central Montana via in-person events and a website, which allows consumers to purchase cuts through an online platform. Central Montana Meat Markets Utilize Grant Funds to Grow Businesses BY SHANNON RUCKMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED M e a t M a r k e t - G r a n t s Photo by: Mariah Heitzman

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