Department Mission

"To protect producers and consumers and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries."

Department Programs & Background

Montana Department of Agriculture operates more than 30 programs, many funded entirely through user fees. These include regulatory programs that protect producers, consumers and the environment, as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture. The Director's Office also serves as an advocate for Montana agriculture in national and international forums and works to make the department's programs accessible to the public. Select a navigation link for more information.

Director's Office

Director: Ron de Yong
Central Services Division Administrator: Libbi H. Lovshin
Attorney: Cort Jensen
Public Information Specialist: Ron Zellar

Agricultural Development Division

Deputy Director and Administrator: Joel A. Clairmont, (406) 444-2402

Ag Marketing & Business Development Bureau

• Marketing and Business Assistance
• Grants and Loans
• Agriculture Curriculum Development

Wheat & Barley Bureau, Great Falls

• Producer funded research and marketing
• Hosts foreign buyers and delegations
   

Rural Development Bureau

• Agricultural Finance
• Agricultural Statistics
• Commodity Check-off Programs
• State Hail Insurance

State Grain Laboratory, Great Falls

• Federally licensed grain inspection

Montana Ag Statistics Service

• USDA's NASS Montana Field Office

Agricultural Sciences Division

Administrator: Greg Ames, (406) 444-2944

Analytical Laboratory Bureau, Bozeman

• Tests feed, pesticides, fertilizer, water

Commodity Services Bureau

• Anhydrous Ammonia
• Feed/ Fertilizer
• Grain Warehouses & Auditing
• Organic Certification
• Produce/ Seed/ Seed Potatoes

Pest Management Bureau

• Apiary/ Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bees 
• Export Certification
• Noxious Weeds
• Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage
• Nursery/ Quarantine
• Cooperative Ag Pest Survey

Technical Services Bureau

• Groundwater
• Licensing and Registration
• Pesticides
• Special Pesticide Registrations
• Vertebrate Pests

Board, Councils and Committees

The department receives advice from, and has attached to it, the following:

• Agriculture Development Council
• Alfalfa Seed Committee
• Cherry Advisory Committee
• Hail Insurance Board
• Mint Committee
• Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council
• Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Advisory Council
• Noxious Weed Summit Advisory Council
• Organic Commodity Advisory Council
• Potato Advisory Committee
• Pulse Crop Advisory Committee
• Wheat & Barley Committee