Governor Steve Bullock  signed an executive order on October 28, 2020 allowing increased weight limitations on transportation vehicles in order to protect sugar beet farmers in Montana.

“Record setting cold temperatures and early winter storms have limited the harvesting season for Montana’s farmers and workers,” Governor Bullock said. “Montana producers have already overcome many challenges due to the pandemic. Today’s order ensures farmers can harvest their crops in time and avoid unnecessary losses.”

The Montana Oilseed Advisory Committee will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, October 28th beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Please contact Dani Jones to receive information to join the meeting at (406) 444-2402 or danielle.jones@mt.gov.

The application cycle for Tourism Grants is now open. The 2021 application cycle will accept applications from eligible entities from October 15 - November 30, 2020.

The Tourism Grant Program funds projects that strengthen Montana’s economy through the development and enhancement of Montana’s tourism and recreation industry. A total of $750,000 is available for projects that develop and enhance tourism and recreation products that have the potential to increase non-resident visitation.

Click here to learn more or to apply for a grant.

Montana State University’s annual Crop and Pest Management School will not be offered in 2021 due to the pandemic, but pesticide applicators can attend other pest management events for pesticide license credits.

To search for other online pesticide education credit opportunities for private and commercial applicators across the state, visit the Montana Department of Agriculture at mtplants.mt.gov/PesticideApplicator/MeetingSearch.aspx and the MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program at pesticides.montana.edu/events/index.html.

Local Foods, Local Places helps communities revitalize neighborhoods through development of local food systems. In 2020, the program is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Local Foods, Local Places aims to support projects that do all of the following:

• Create livable, walkable, economically vibrant main streets and mixed-use neighborhoods.
• Boost economic opportunities for local farmers and main street businesses.
• Improve access to healthy, local food, especially among disadvantaged populations.

​Click here to learn more and apply.

Thank you for supporting the fourth season of the Capitol Square Farmers Market!
The Capitol Square Farmers Market is a self-funded project of the Montana Department of Agriculture and the General Services Division of the Department of Administration. As we wrap up this season and plan for future years, we'd appreciate feedback from our customers and attendees.

Click here to take the 2020 Customer Survey.

The  MDA Fall webinar trainings schedule is now available to help Montana pesticide applicators fulfill their continuing education requirements for their Montana pesticide license under the current COVID-19 situation. These trainings are being presented via Zoom and are free of charge. Each training will provide 1 CE per training* for the listed classifications (categories).   

• September 30, 2020: Vertebrate Pests & Human Health (Presented by: Stephen M. Vantassel, MDA Vertebrate Pest Specialist)
• October 14, 2020: Understanding Pesticide Drift (Presented by: Dr. Cecil Tharp, MSU Pesticide Education Specialist)
• October 21, 2020 @ 12:00 and 6:00: Understanding Pesticide Labels (Presented by: Myles Sailer, MDA Training and Development Specialist)
• October 28, 2020: Pesticide Disposal & Container Recycling )Presented by: Carli Davis, MDA Pesticide Disposal and Container Recycling Program)
• November 4, 2020: What to Expect During an Inspection (Presented by: Kima Traynham and Tonda Moon, MDA Field Staff)
• November 11, 2020 (Veteran’s Day): Pesticide Storage & Equipment Maintenance (Presented by: Myles Sailer, MDA Training and Development Specialist)

• November 18, 2020: Pesticide Safety (Presented by: Michaela Hystad, MDA Field Staff)

Click here to learn more and register in advance.

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) has postponed the 2021 Young Ag Couples Conference due to health risks posed by the coronavirus public health crisis.

The 2022 conference will be held in mid-January in Helena. To qualify, couples should be actively engaged in agriculture or agribusiness. Participants are usually nominated by Montana agriculture organizations, but those interested in attending the conference in 2022, or learning more about the conference can view updates on the conference’s Facebook page or contact Dani Jones at (406) 444-2402 or by email at danielle.jones@mt.gov.

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.

Visit https://funding.mt.gov/index.do to apply. All applications must be submitted through the Montana Webgrants system by October 28, 2020. Questions on applications should be directed to the Montana Potato Research & Market Development Program, P.O. Box 200201, Helena, MT 59620-0201 or by contacting Dani Jones at (406) 444-2402 or via email at Danielle.Jones@mt.gov.

Governor Steve Bullock today announced $4.2 million in additional funds have been awarded through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant (MMPIG) program to aid small and medium-sized meat processors in responding to the COVID-19 crisis through the adaptation and advancement of meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana.

“The meat processing infrastructure grant program received an incredible amount of interest, which goes to show just how crucial these investments are for Montana,” Governor Bullock said. “Our hardworking producers need to have viable markets for selling their livestock. These grants allow meat processors to expand their capacity to meet increased demand for local meat and protect consumers from future supply chain disruptions.”

The grant program previously awarded $7.5 million to 62 different processors across the state in early August, making the total awards for meat processing nearly $12 million.

Click here to view the full MT Meat Processing Infrastructure Program award recipient list.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is implementing the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP) for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup for CFAP 2 will begin September 21 and run through December 11, 2020.

Producers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP 2 application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages with the team at the FSA county office.

A complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates and calculations can be found on farmers.gov/cfap.