Food & Ag Development Centers

The Montana Food and Agricultural Development Center (FADC) Network helps Montanans innovate and grow businesses that produce and commercialize food, agricultural and renewable energy products and processes, creating wealth and jobs in our communities and on our farms and ranches. The centers - located throughout Montana - operate as a statewide network serving community-based businesses.

The centers support economic development by ensuring that more of the state's food, agricultural and energy dollars circulate in Montana. The network provides training, coaching and technical assistance, including:

• Product development, testing and analysis
• Regulatory compliance training
• Food processing
• Business planning and development
• Market research
• Business networking
• Access to financing
• Cooperative development
• Education on industry dynamics and technologies

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Success stories and program results:

• An Historical Analysis of Food Manufacturing in Montana: A 2012 Report
• Montana Foodcorps encourages the use of local foods in schools and educates children about eating healthy and locally-grown products
• Montana Department of Agriculture: Growth Through Agriculture Grant & Loan Program
• Montana Department of Livestock: Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau, 406-444-5202; Milk and Egg Bureau, 406-444-9761
• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: Montana Processed Food Manufacturers Statutes; Food and Consumer Safety Section, 406-444-2408

Business Resources

• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center: a national information resource for value-added agriculture
• Idaho Department of Agriculture: Starting a Specialty Foods Business
• Iowa State University: Ag Decision Maker
• Centers for Cooperative Development: Montana Cooperative Development Center; University of Wisconsin Community College
• Food Industry Market Maker: A national partnership of land grant institutions and state departments of agriculture

Food and Bioenergy Resources

• National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA): current resources on food production, processing, food marketing, farm to institution, and farm-based energy

Food Regulation and Entrepreneurship Resources

• The Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (AAMP): Assistance for very small to mid-sized meat processors. The network offers free webinars on small-scale meat and poultry processing issues, providing online and in-person resources and information.
• Help for small meat plants. USDA has a Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) small meat plant help desk designed to be a one-stop shop for plant owners and operators seeking information and guidance. Call 1-877-374-7435 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, or email at infosource@fsis.usda.gov
• For educational resources and links about meat processing visit American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP)
• Washington State Department of Agriculture - Small Farm and Direct Marketing Handbook: Regulations and Strategies for Farm Businesses in Washington State
• Penn State University Food Science Program: Information for food entrepreneurs and consumers
• The American Institute of Baking: Correspondence courses on food facilities and sanitation

Food Security Resources

• FoodSecurity.Org: A good source of food policy information provided by the Community Food Security Coalition (CFSC), a non-profit organization that provides resources to help build strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for all people at all times.