The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is set to open applications for the FY26 New Mexico Local Meat Processing Grant (LMPG) on July 1. The program offers up to $3 million in funding aimed at supporting meat processors throughout the state.
To assist potential applicants, a virtual workshop will be conducted on Wednesday, June 25, at noon. Participants must register in advance and will receive meeting details via email upon confirmation. Those unable to attend can request a one-on-one meeting by emailing NMDA by June 27, specifying their preferred date and time.
“New Mexico livestock producers need access to reliable, local processing options,” stated Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. “This funding helps strengthen local food systems, create economic opportunities and improve meat processing capacity across the state.”
The grant was established during the 2025 legislative session and aims to help processors adopt new technologies and enhance systems for meat byproduct disposal. The funds are available for various activities such as equipment purchases, facility upgrades, regulatory compliance, value-added processing, and supply chain improvements. Notably, there is no match requirement for this grant; however, recipients must utilize the funds by July 2029.
