Montana Agriculture Development Council

The Agriculture Development Council establishes policies and priorities to enhance the future development of agriculture in Montana including the award of loans and grants offered through the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.

The committee is appointed by the Governor and composed of seven members. Board members serve three-year terms. For additional information about Governor appointed Boards and Councils, visit the Boards, Councils & Commissions website from Montana.Gov.

Board Members
Name	Contact Info	Term End	Qualifications
Director Mike Foster	Dept. of Agriculture PO Box 200201 Helena, MT 49620 agr@mt.gov		Agriculture Director, Statutory Appointment
Dept. of Commerce Director	Dept. of Commerce PO Box 200501 Helena, MT 59620 commerce.mt.gov/Contact		Commerce Director, Statutory Appointment
John Wicks	5238 Broadhurst Road Ledger, MT 59456	7/1/2022	Agriculture Representative
Amy Kellogg	442 5th Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901	7/1/2022	Agriculture Representative
Lars Hanson	P.O. Box 6 Edgar, MT 59026	7/1/2023	Agriculture Representative
George Kipp, III	P.O. Box 191 Heart Butte, MT 59448	7/1/2023	Agriculture Representative
Megan Hedges	PO Box 571 Chester, MT 59522	7/1/2023	Agriculture Representative

Agriculture Development Council Agendas & Minutes

Growth Through Agriculture News

Virtual Marketing Consultations Available Through Ag Development & Marketing Bureau

MT Dept. of Agriculture marketing team is scheduling consultations with businesses for the week of April 19th

The Montana Department of Agriculture's marketing team is looking forward to connecting with Montana food and ag businesses as they schedule virtual marketing consultations for the week of April 19th. Our marketing officers are taking this opportunity to learn more about different companies across the state and explore how the department can help them reach their goals.

If you are interested in setting up a virtual marketing consultation, please contact Marty Earnheart at (406) 444-9126 or mearnheart@mt.gov.

Click here to learn more about the Agricultural Marketing & Business Development Bureau at Montana Department of Agriculture.

More links

MT Ag Marketing & Business Development Bureau website

USDA Announces Funding Available to Organizations to Assist Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers under Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative

FSA Accepting CFAP2 Applications Beginning April 5, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers impacted by the pandemic. Today also marks the reopening of FSA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) signup as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications

The cooperative agreements will support participation in programs offered by FSA, including those that are part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Interested organizations must submit proposals by May 5, 2021.

Click here to read the full news release.

Documents to download

Agriculture Week-Proclamation(.pdf, 391.32 KB) - 491 download(s)

Montana Agriculture Development Council