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Staples-Motley awarded $50K to establish butchery program

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duncan cumming via Flickr

The funding comes from a Minnesota Department of Agriculture grant that helps schools establish or maintain meat cutting and butchery training programs.

STAPLES — The Staples-Motley school district will establish a meat cutting and butchery curriculum using state grant dollars.

The $53,000 Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Meat Education and Training Grant from the Department of Agriculture will provide students with hands-on learning and career pathways while gaining skills in meat processing, food safety and business development, according to a news release.

The grant funds equipment purchases, facility renovations, curriculum development and faculty training.

Staples-Motley is one of six districts that received grant funding this year. The Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation Program administers grants to farmers, businesses and schools throughout the state to advance the agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

“These grant programs are part of our ongoing efforts to support workforce development and ensure a thriving meat processing sector,” said Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen in the release.

“By investing in both industry training and education, we’re helping to meet growing demand while creating meaningful career opportunities for the next generation.”

Newly appointed Crow Wing County Attorney Kelsey Hopps, center, is surrounded by Crow Wing County commissioners Jamie Lee, left, Jon Lubke, Paul Koering, Rosemary Franzen and Steve Barrows on Aug. 12, 2025, after the board unanimously agreed to appoint her. Hopps replaces longtime County Attorney Don Ryan in September.
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Crow Wing County
Assistant County Attorney Kelsey Hopps will replace County Attorney Don Ryan when he retires in mid-September 2025, after nearly 31 years in the office.