The Montana Department of Agriculture is currently hiring a Grant Contracts Coordinator based in Helena. Applications will be accepted until May 28, 2019. Visit the Employment page for more info and other job openings with the Montana Department of Agriculture.

Click to view the MT Administrative Register, Issue No. 9, page 537.

Click to view the MT Administrative Register, Issue No. 9, pages 532 - 536.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is currently hiring a Training Development Specialist based in Helena. Applications will be accepted until May 24, 2019. Visit the Employment page for more info and other job openings with the Montana Department of Agriculture.

The Agricultural Development Council will meet on July 2nd in Room 225 at the Department of Agriculture (Scott Hart Bldg., 302 N. Roberts, Helena, MT) beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Click to learn more about the Ag Development Council and Growth Through Agriculture program.

The Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for organizations to become a Food and Agriculture Development Center. Apply at www.fundingmt.org. Application deadline is June 12, 2019 – 2pm.

Click here for more information and full solicitation details.

Click here for more information about Food and Agriculture Development Centers in Montana.

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) will be hosting the third annual Montana Food Show September 27, 2019 at MSU’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman.

Early bird registration for vendors will open March 7th and run until regular registration begins May 23rd.

Final deadline for vendor registration is July 24th.

Buyer registration will open June 3rd.

Let’s get more Montana foods on Montana plates!

In 2019 you can expect:

• International trade groups from Canada and Mexico
• Public will be allowed for the trade show

At the second annual Montana Food Show in 2018:

• $9,933 in reported sales from the day of the show
• 64 Montana companies showcased
• 166 buyers from more than 55 companies
  • Hotels & resorts
  • Restaurants & bars
  • Gift shops
  • Catering services
  • Distributors & wholesalers
  • Grocery stores & markets

Interested in being a 2019 Vendor? Click here for online Vendor Registration.

Wondering if this show is for you? Click here for the 2018 Vendor List.

If you have any questions about the show, please contact Marketing Officer Marty Earnheart at (406) 444-2402, MEarnheart@mt.gov.

The Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council and Dept. of Agriculture staff will meet on July 18, 2019 at the Cascade County Public Works Bldg. (279 Vaughn S. Frontage Rd., Great Falls) from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Click to learn more about the Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council members and activities.

Meeting Agenda will be posted soon.

On May 7, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced increased availability of credit guarantees for sales of U.S. agricultural commodities under the Commodity Credit Corporation’s (CCC) Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) for fiscal year 2019. Further details of the announcements may be found at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/export-credit-guarantee-program-gsm-102/gsm-102-allocations

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for fiscal 2019 funding are due Oct. 31, 2019.

For full details on how to apply in Montana, and to start an application, visit our Organic Certification Cost Share page, or email agrorganic@mt.gov.

Click to view the Montana Administrative Register, Issue No. 8, published on April 26, 2019.  The Department of Agriculture's Notice of Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment of the State Noxious Weed List is published on pages 413 and 414.

A public hearing will be held on May 22, 2019 at the Department of Agriculture (302 N. Roberts, Helena, MT) at 9:00 a.m.  Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or agruments either orally or in writing at the hearing, by email (agr@mt.gov), phone (406-444-3144), or mail (PO Box 200201, Helena, MT 59620-0201).

Helena, Mont. –The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding producers to get covered through the State Hail Insurance Program. Montana producers can conveniently access and fill out applications for state hail insurance online by visiting the program’s website.

Click to learn more about the MT Pulse Crop Committee.

Committee members will begin their summer mtg. at 10:00 a.m. on June 17th in Room 225 of the Scott Hart Building at 302 N. Roberts in Helena, MT.  An agenda will be available soon.  Please reach out to Weston Merrill for more information: (406) 444-3407.

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2019 – Food waste is a problem everyone can tackle, including our nation’s youth. As part of Winning on Reducing Food Waste Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is launching Ace the Waste! A student competition for food waste reduction ideas. This first-ever competition calls on students to come up with creative solutions to reduce food loss and waste in the United States.

Helena, Mont. - The Montana Department of Agriculture and Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council has awarded over $1.79 million for the development and implementation of noxious weed management programs across Montana. The grants, which were awarded in March, assist counties, conservation districts, local communities, tribes, researchers and educators in efforts to combat noxious weeds in Montana. 

58 local cooperative projects were funded at a total of $1,247,871 or 70% of all dollars awarded. Twelve research projects were funded at $309,380 and 11 educational projects were awarded $234,591. Combined research and educational projects were awarded a total of $543,971 or 30% of all funding available.