Harvest of the Month: Apples
Recipes and tips for buying and cooking apples in anticipation of Montana Crunch Time on October 24th
USDA Unveils New Technology for Organic Exports
USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) is working to make it a little easier for certifiers and businesses to export organic products to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Mexico
The organic industry may now utilize the USDA Electronic Trade Document Exchange System (eTDE) to submit and approve organic export certificates and send them to participating foreign trade partners. Foreign trade partners can electronically review information about shipments leaving the U.S., validate printed export certificates, and pull electronic certificates directly into their own systems.
Click here or contact the Montana Organic Program at agrorganic@mt.gov to learn more about the eTDE organic option.
Celebrate Montana Crunch Time
Crunch into locally and regionally grown apples on October 24, 2018
Public Meeting Notice: Montana Potato Advisory Committee to meet on November 6, 2018
The committee will meet at the Holiday Inn in Missoula
Question-and-Answer Conference Call for Growth Through Agriculture Grant Program Applicants
October 23 at 10:00 am MST
Helena, Mont. – Agriculture businesses and organizations throughout Montana will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer conference call on the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program at 10:00 am MST on October 23rd by calling 406-444-4647, access code: 574988. Once you have entered the access code, just stay on the line when asked for a PIN number - no PIN is required. Then enter your phone number when prompted.
Refer to the GTA page for more info.
USDA Announces $102.7 Million Investment to Expand Markets for Specialty Crop and Other Farmers
Under Secretary Greg Ibach today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $102.7 million to increase opportunities for farmers, ranchers and other growers across the country through five grant programs. The funding supports a variety of locally-led projects intended to expand markets for local food promotion and specialty crops.
Join the Made in Montana "Taste our Place" Program
Taste our Place is a new program under Made in Montana dedicated to promoting Montana-sourced food and drink and the places that serve them
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Fall 2018 Meeting Materials Available
The NOSB Meeting will be held in St. Paul, MN, October 24 - 26, 2018
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has posted meeting materials for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Fall meeting, to be held in St. Paul, MN, October 24 - 26, 2018. Documents are posted on the Fall 2018 NOSB Meeting webpage. Posted materials include a tentative Meeting Agenda and Proposals and Discussion Documents.
Pulse Crops Giving Farmers New Opportunities
Story courtesy of Nemetz Communications, Inc.
Proposals Sought for Potato Research & Market Development Program
Proposals due October 26, 2018
Helena, Mont. – The Montana Potato Advisory Committee is seeking proposals for the Montana Potato Research & Market Development Program. Proposals should relate to demonstration projects, applied research, and market development projects designed to address needs and opportunities for the Montana potato industry.
2018-2019 MDA Pesticide Training Schedule
New Food Safety Modernization Act and Produce Safety Rule Overview Video from MDA
Learn how these rules might affect you as a produce grower in Montana in this short video
"How to Apply for a Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Grant" Webcast Now Available
From USDA: Informational Webinar Posted on the Proposed Rule for National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
The recently announced informational webinar about the Proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard is now available online. The pre-recorded webinar provides an overview of the background, provisions and potential impacts of the proposed standard.
The informational webinar is now available for viewing on the BE Disclosure and Labeling page on the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service website under Resources.
Produce Safety Rule technical assistance available to farmers
Submit your contact and info to stay informed about opportunities for food safety support
Hello Montana Growers!
The FDA’s Produce Safety Rule is in place (and was adopted by the Montana legislature) and is being implemented. The Montana Department of Agriculture has received a grant to provide support and technical assistance regarding produce safety to farmers. Food safety regulations are changing, and we want to ensure you have the information you need to be successful.
In coming weeks, we will be conducting brief phone calls to gain a better understanding of the number and scale of produce growers in the state. If you would rather submit your information through an online form, please go to www.foodsafety.mt.gov and click on “Submit Info for the Food Safety Modernization Act Inventory”, or, if you are unsure if the Produce Safety Act applies to you and your farm, click on "Determine if the Produce Safety Rule Applies to You" to answer a few questions and automatically see if you are exempt or if the law applies to you.
If you have questions, please call 406-444-0131 or email foodsafety@mt.gov.
Thank you from the Montana Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program