| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Collin Watters |
| March 19, 2009 | (406) 444-2402 |
Development Council Selects Growth Through Agriculture Projects
HELENA, Mont. —The Montana Agriculture Development Council has offered $212,237.60 of funding to twelve Growth Through Agriculture projects for agricultural development.
"Growth Through Agriculture is a key program in the Montana Department of Agriculture's efforts to assist entrepreneurs in adding value to the state's agricultural commodities, thereby enhancing business opportunities in rural communities," said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
The Agriculture Development Council, which oversees the Growth Through Agriculture program, heard presentations from applicants at meetings held March 3-4 in Helena. In addition to selecting projects for assistance, the council agreed to require more financial information from applicants in the future, according to council Chair David Tyler. Details will be included in the online application form and instructions on the department's website: www.agr.mt.gov.
In the latest round, the council offered funding to:
- The Gallatin Foundation, Belgrade, $800 grant for the purchase of soil kits for the Gallatin Valley Farm Fair.
- In My Plants, Jordan, $4,200 grant for the purchase of supplies and materials for a greenhouse startup.
- Sheep Spring Farm, Toston, $3,982.60 grant to establish a licensed food warehouse facility.
- Bitterroot Valley Hops, Darby, $10,000 grant to establish a hops farm.
- Gold Country Mushroom, Inc., Clancy, $9,100 loan to expand mushroom production and processing capabilities.
- Martinsdale Colony, Inc., Martinsdale, $50,000 loan for the establishment of a vegetable processing facility.
- Mountain View Gardens, Inc., Kalispell, $25,000 grant for the purchase of greenhouse lights and light fixtures.
- Helena Farmers' Market, Boulder, $950 grant to establish a website and purchase equipment necessary to keep the website updated.
- Alternative Energy Resource Organization (AERO), Helena, $10,305 Grant to establish an interactive online local foods directory.
- Cafe DeCamp, Inc., Billings, $3,000 grant for advertising and promotion of the business's focus on local foods.
- The Orchard at Flathead Lake, LLP, Bigfork, $44,900 loan for the establishment of a new cherry processing facility.
- Montana Food Bank Network, Missoula, $50,000 grant for the development of a feasibility study and business plan for a food processing facility.
Montana agricultural producers and industry representatives serve on the Agriculture Development Council. Council members are: David Tyler of Belgrade, chair; Patricia Quisno of Harlem, vice-chair; Ervin Schlemmer of Joliet; Bill Koenig of Kalispell; Verges Aageson of Gildford; Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture; and Tony Preite, director of the Montana Department of Commerce.
The next deadline for project applications to the Growth Through Agriculture program is April 30, 2009. The council plans to review the next round of project applications June 2nd and 3rd, 2009 in Havre.
For more information and application materials, visit http://agr.mt.gov/business/GTA.asp or contact Collin Watters, Growth Through Agriculture program manager, at the Montana Department of Agriculture, at (406) 444-2402 or by e-mail at mailto:agr@mt.gov.
