USDA's Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA)
What does the MPPTA Offer?
Access to technical experts from across industry, academia and state and federal government.
Focused content for diverse stakeholders, including family-owned, rural, minority-owned, Native American and Tribal-owned businesses, and other underserved entities seeking to build or expand meat and poultry processing and supply chain capacity.
General assistance with navigating USDA grant application and award processes, and successful post-award grant management
One-one-one advising, including project and proposal reviews tailored to the specific needs of diverse stakeholders, from small and very small processors and new enterprise startups to organizations developing regional concepts and established mid-sized processing companies.
Educational resources, events, and webinars covering topics of interest for meat and poultry processing enterprises of all types.
Note: The MPPTA Program does not offer or provide contractor services or financial capital. It does not offer grant writing or project management services, nor does the voluntary use of MPPTA guarantee the success of a grant application or the grant-funded project.
In March 2022, AMS identified the following organizations to serve as TA Providers:
Oregon State University- Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network
Intertribal Agriculture Council
American Association of Meat Processors
American Meat Science Association
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Field Crops
Dairy
Business
Livestock
Grains
Upcoming Events
NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course
March 3, 2026 : NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course
Ellicottville, NY
NYSDEC training course in preparation to take the pesticide applicator exam.
From Data to Dollars: Making Data-driven Decisions to Increase Farmers Market Success
March 3, 2026
The Cornell Agricultural Marketing Research Program and Penn State University are excited to present this new, 6-week course as part of Cornell's Farmers Market Research Project. The course is for farmers with experience selling at farmers markets who wish to increase their earnings through management and marketing practices.
Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference
March 6, 2026
Waterloo, NY
Farmers, researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers from across the Northeast are invited to the 2026 Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference, held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, N.Y.
Co-hosted by New York Soil Health and Cornell CALS, the annual conference brings together leaders in organic grain, dairy, and livestock systems to share practical tools, new research, and farmer-tested strategies to support resilient and profitable organic production.
Announcements
Cows, Crops & Critters Newsletter Sponsorship
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