The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through development of new agricultural products and processes. The GTA program is administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture with counsel from the Agriculture Development Council.
Match: November 16, 2017 – matching fund expenditures on or after this date will be considered to meet the $1 for $1 match requirement. GTA: November 15, 2018 – please be sure not to request GTA funds for project expenditures before November 15, 2018.
The Council may make a grant or loan if it determines a project is consistent with the goals of the Growth Through Agriculture Act. Projects should primarily add value to Montana's agricultural products and have the potential to create and/or retain jobs in Montana.
BEFORE beginning the application process, the applicant should be able to document exactly how the project will expand Montana agriculture. The growth could be measurable either in terms of increased sales (by dollar amount or percentage) or in number of jobs created.
The Council strongly urges applicants to contact their local economic development organization for assistance with their GTA application and, as necessary, with business and marketing plans. These organizations include the Small Business Development Center network and, specifically for food product or farm-based energy business development, the Food and Agricultural Development Center network.
Projects may potentially be funded in a single application for a total amount of $150,000 in the form of grant funding up to $50,000 and loan funding up to $100,000. Examples of project activities involve equipment purchases, advertising and promotion, and consultant services such as engineering costs. A $1 for $1 match is required for all proposals.
The Council designated the following areas to be eligible for consideration for 0% interest rate loans:
Applications for Growth Through Agriculture funding are available online through WebGrants. Applicants must be a registered user associated with an organization. Register and apply with WebGrants by visiting www.fundingmt.org.
GTA Program Montana Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 200201 Helena, Montana 59620-0201 Fax: 406-444-9442
For assistance, please contact GTA program staff at gta@mt.gov or 406-444-0134.
Semi-annual reports are required of all applicants who accept either a GTA grant or loan award. These are due on the dates set forth in the award contract until the project is complete, at which time a comprehensive final report is due.
These semi-annual and final reports are required to be filled out through the WebGrants system at fundingmt.org. Use the same user ID and password issued during registration to apply for Growth Through Agriculture funding. When logged into www.fundingmt.org click on "Grantee Instructions" and scroll down to "Status Reports" to learn more about how to use this component.
Please contact GTA program staff using the information listed on this page if you have further questions about the program or reporting processes.
The Growth Through Agriculture Mini Grant/Loan program (Mini Grant/Loan program) is a branch of the Montana Growth Through Agriculture program and was authorized by the 2009 Montana Legislature to encourage economic and agricultural development.
The Agriculture Development Council establishes policies and priorities to enhance the future development of agriculture in Montana including the award of loans and grants offered through the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.
The committee is appointed by the Governor and composed of seven members. Board members serve three-year terms. For additional information about Governor appointed Boards and Councils, visit the Boards, Councils & Commissions website from Montana.Gov.
Helena, Mont. - The Montana Department of Agriculture and Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council has awarded over $1.74 million for the development and implementation of noxious weed management programs in March 2018. The grants assist counties, conservation districts, local communities, tribes, researchers and educators in efforts to combat noxious weeds in Montana.
Helena, Mont. - The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is encouraging Montanans to support the Montana Agriculture in the Classroom program this tax season by contributing to the voluntary check-off program when filing this year’s income taxes.
MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock and the Agriculture Development Council today announced the recipients of $726,600 in grants and loans to agricultural businesses and organizations.
Growth Through Agriculture Program Phone : (406) 444-0134 E-mail : gta@mt.gov Fax : (406) 444-9442 302 N Roberts Helena, MT 59601
MCA 90-9: Agriculture Development