Serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky

MDA Announces Growth Through Agriculture Grant Awardees to Advance Montana Agriculture

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  • February 22 2023

CONTACT:

Logan Kruse, Montana Department of Agriculture (406) 444-3684

 

 

MDA Announces Growth Through Agriculture Grant Awardees to Advance Montana Agriculture

 

Helena, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and the Agriculture Development Council announced recipients of the state’s $896,003 investment in innovative, value-added agriculture projects through the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.

“By investing in innovative, value-added ag projects, we can help Montana producers keep pace with a transforming agricultural industry and capture more of the tremendous value they create,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I look forward to seeing what these ag businesses are able to accomplish with this investment.” 

 

From Circle to Libby, a total of 23 agricultural businesses throughout the state were awarded funds to advance Montana’s agricultural economy.  

 

“Year after year, Montana’s Growth Through Agriculture Program boosts agricultural businesses toward their goals,” Montana Director of Agriculture Christy Clark said. “The Department of Agriculture is proud to invest in these innovative projects that will add value to Montana agriculture and boost our economy.”  

 

The GTA program was established by the Montana Legislature in 1987 to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agriculture industry through innovative agricultural business improvements and the commercialization and marketing of new, value-added agriculture products.  

All GTA funding awards require businesses to invest at least $1 in matching funds for every $1 in grant or loan assistance received. The Montana Department of Agriculture administers the program with counsel from the Agriculture Development Council, a seven-member committee appointed by the governor. Successful projects ranged from meat alpaca fiber processing to extending local produce availability.  

 

2023 GROWTH THROUGH AGRICULTURE AWARDS 

 

Kuvu Bio Solutions – Bozeman

$50,000 loan for the commercialization of a novel weed management innovation.

 

Montana Greenhouse Project 365, LLC – Kalispell

$48,382 grant to build a sunken greenhouse to grow year-round.

 

Black Dog Farm – Livingston

$34,647 grant for the expansion of chicken and egg production in Livingston.

 

Good Mama Farm – Harrison

$17,625 grant to extend local produce availability in rural areas using value added products.

 

Aspen Grove Farm, LLC – Corvallis

$50,000 grant for value added product expansion.

 

Cold Springs Organics, LLC – Bozeman

$25,000 grant and $25,000 loan for the value-added expansion of an organic grain processing operation for a flour mill and bagging machine.

 

Montana Alfalfa Company – Malta

$35,000 grant and $25,000 loan for leaf cutter bee processing and storage facility.

 

SporeAttic LLC – Bozeman

$33,154 grant for SporeAttic Mushroom Farm expansion.

 

Genuine Ice Cream – Bozeman

$41,571 grant for ice cream manufacturing expansion.

 

Hoot Owl Farm – Libby

$30,000 grant for improvements to farm infrastructure to increase efficiency and productivity.

 

Fort Belknap Community Economic Development Corporation – Harlem

$25,000 grant to build a Wasay Wakpa Greenhouse in the snow.

 

Beauty and the Beef – Helmville

$50,000 grant for business expansion.

 

Montgomery Distillery – Missoula

$50,000 grant for grain distillery expansion.

 

JWK Enterprises dba MR. BEEF – Bridger

$10,000 grant for new market expansions.

 

41 Grains – Circle

$28,000 grant for business and marketing expansion project.

 

Ag Processing Solutions, Inc. – Great Falls

$50,000 grant for APS cert, sort, and store medium lot processing.

 

Daniel’s Gourmet Meats and Sausages – Bozeman

$24,783 grant for business expansion and commercialization.

 

Clark Fork Organics, LLC – Missoula

$50,000 grant for Clark Fork Organics farm store construction.

 

Sapphire Suri Alpaca Farm & Mill, LLC – Helena

$50,000 grant for alpaca fiber mill construction in Helena, MT.

 

Planted Foods, Inc. dba Unwaffle – Bozeman

$30,000 grant for manufacturing equipment.

 

Big Sky Orchards & Hops Farm – Flathead Lake / Polson

$30,000 grant for refrigerated transportation for Montana grown cherries, hops, and apples.

 

Key to the Mountain – Missoula

$32,039 grant for equipment expansion.

 

Nature’s Enhancement, Inc. – Stevensville

$50,000 grant for transportation system improvement.

 

The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.

 

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Tags: Value-Added Agriculture, Governor Greg Gianforte, Grants, Director Christy Clark, Montana Department of Agriculture and Growth Through Agriculture