DUCHESNE, UTAH – Farm Creek Meats, a family owned and operated meat processing facility in Duchesne, Utah, received a $200,000 Value-added Producer Grant from US Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

The grant will help Farm Creek Meats expand its customer base and strengthen its retail presence to increase overall sales, the agency said. The working capital funds will be used to broaden product offerings, support production capacity and enter new markets. Additionally, the investment will also enhance Farm Creek’s ability to meet growing demand of locally raised and processed meat products, improve operational stability and position the company for long‑term growth and profitability.

“We are extremely grateful to USDA Rural Development for selecting Farm Creek Meats for this Value-Added Producer Grant,” said Douglas Reid, Farm Creek Meats owner. “As a producer-owned, vertically integrated meat company in rural Utah, this award gives us the opportunity to take what we raise and produce here at home and create higher-value products that can compete on a national level.

“This funding will help us bring innovative products like our 100% bison and elk sticks to more consumers, expand markets for our products, and create additional opportunities for agriculture and rural communities,” Reid added. “We appreciate USDA’s investment in small producers and rural businesses like ours, and we’re excited about what this grant will help us build.”

Source: US Department of Agriculture

USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant Program helps producers develop value-added agricultural products, conduct market research and implement business and marketing strategies. Applications for the Value-Added Producer Grant program are typically accepted for processing from agricultural producers between January and May, depending on when program funding is allocated, the agency said.

“Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is highly focused on supporting American farmers and locally raised food products,” said Rural Development Utah State Director Stan Summers. “Farm Creek Meats is a great example of Utah producers strengthening our agricultural economy and supporting our nation’s goals. This investment will give the company the backing it needs to expand its reach, bring more locally raised products to market, and set themselves up for long‑term opportunities.”

Additional information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America is available at the Rural Data Gateway.

Erica Shaffer is the managing editor of MEAT+POULTRY. After joining Sosland Publishing Company in 2009, Shaffer worked as the website editor of several Sosland titles before joining MEAT+POULTRY as its digital media editor in 2012. Most recently, Shaffer served as MEAT+POULTRY’s Digital Media Senior Editor, a role she was promoted to in 2019. She writes, edits and produces website exclusive stories, images, videos and podcasts featuring leading industry figures, events and issues of interest to meat and poultry processors. Erica brings more than 20 years of experience as a journalist to the role.

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