Meat Processing Facility in Staples
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) broke ground for Farmers Union Processing + Meats in Staples on June 6.
A groundbreaking was held June 6 for Farmers Union Processing + Meats in Staples.
Farmers Union Processing + Meats will be a state-of-the-art, USDA-compliant meat processing facility for primarily beef and pork located at 901 Prairie Ave. N.W. in a Staples industrial park. The more than 8,000-square-foot facility will employ up to 15 people when fully operational and partner with Central Lakes College and Ridgewater College to provide training and internship opportunities for students studying meat processing and butchery.
Future Site of Farmers Union Processing + Meats
“This project beautifully illustrates the power of grassroots membership driving action at the state and national level,” said MFU President Gary Wertish. “MFU members raised the issue of a lack of meat processing infrastructure in 2019 and COVID-19 elevated the issue. MFU members called for more investment in meat processing at the state and federal level. Lawmakers responded and both levels of government made investments in this vital part of local processing infrastructure. MFU is proud to work with partners from across the political spectrum at all levels of government in addition to private sector supporters to bring Farmers Union Processing + Meats to fruition.
“MFU looks forward to working with livestock farmers in the Staples area to provide a USDA-compliant meat processing facility, which will open new market opportunities to them,” Wertish continued. “In addition, we are proud to work with Central Lakes and Ridgewater colleges to train the next generation of meat processors and local locker plant owners. We hope this facility serves as a catalyst for rural economic development in the region.”
Hy-Tec Construction of Brainerd is the lead contractor on the $8 million project and Widseth is the project architect. Construction is anticipated to start this month with a tentative opening date of January 2026.
Project partners include:
- Minnesota State Agricultural Centers of Excellence
- Region 5 Development Commission.
- United States Economic Development Administration
- United States Department of Agriculture, Ag. Marketing Service
- Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
- Happy Dancing Turtle
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
- Farmers Union Enterprises
- Farmers Union Industries
- Central Telephone Company
- The Small Business Development Center
Farmers Union Processing + Meats celebrated groundbreaking for the new meat processing facility on June 6.