News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a primary agricultural disaster designation for counties in Wyoming. Under this designation, producers in contiguous counties in Montana (Carbon, Carter, Gallatin, Park and Powder River) also qualify for benefits.

Affected producers are encouraged to work with their local FSA office to apply for assistance. Click here to visit USDA's disaster assistance program.

Governor Greg Gianforte celebrated National Agriculture Day today by visiting the Lake Family farms, potato farms in operation for more than eighty years in the Mission Valley.

“We’re celebrating Montana agriculture today and the farmers and ranchers that drive our state’s number one industry,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “Our commodities like potatoes, wheat, barley, beef, and pulse crops and recognized throughout the world for their superior quality, and family farms like the Lake’s serve as the cornerstone to rural communities across our state.”

Governor Greg Gianforte has proclaimed March 22 - 26, 20201 Montana Agriculture Week!

Click here to view the full proclamation.

In honor and support of all MT farmers and ranchers that feed Montana, the nation, and the world, Governor Gianforte proclaimed March 20, 2021 to be "Montana Meat Day."

Click here to view the full proclamation.

Governor Greg Gianforte announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all Montanans beginning April 1, 2021.

“A few months ago, projections estimated Montanans 16 and older would be eligible for the vaccine as late as mid-July. Today, I’m pleased to announce that we’re moving up that timeline. All Montanans 16 and older will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 1st,” Gianforte said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a primary agricultural disaster designation for counties in Wyoming. Under this designation, producers in contiguous counties in Montana (Big Horn, Carbon & Powder River) also qualify for benefits.

Affected producers are encouraged to work with their local FSA office to apply for assistance. Click here to visit USDA's disaster assistance program.

Governor Gianforte and the Agriculture Development Council announced the recipients of $834,646 in grants and loans awarded through the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program.  

“Expanding value-added agriculture helps Montana businesses thrive,” Governor Greg Gianforte said. “The investments made through the Growth Through Agriculture program make it possible for producers and businesses across the state to grow their operations, create jobs, and access new markets. These value-added projects play an important role in promoting Montana’s high-quality commodities and boosting our economy.” 

The application process was highly competitive with projects aimed at creating robust markets for Montana’s agricultural producers. Successful projects ranged from a feedlot development to allow for more in-state livestock finishing, to increasing processing capacity for Montana crops and meat, and expanding value-added food and beverage products, such as fermented foods. Click here to view the full list of funded projects. 

Invasive zebra mussels found another avenue for potential infestation of Montana waters. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks was notified Wednesday that zebra mussels were detected in aquarium moss balls sold at a pet store in Washington state. FWP immediately checked pet stores around Montana and found invasive mussels in moss balls at multiple locations.  

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is working closely with other states and Federal agencies to address this nation-wide issue.   

If you have recently purchased moss balls, remove them from the water, place them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer overnight. Additional guidance for addressing potential mussels in aquariums and how to treat tank water will be available soon. Please don’t dispose of your aquarium tank water in your household drain.

Click here to view the full article from FWP.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is making an additional $35 million available this year in the Value-Added Producer Grant Program to support agricultural producers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is made possible through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. In total, $76 million is available.

The Department has also extended the application deadline to May 4, 2021. USDA originally opened the application window on Dec. 21, 2020, with an application due date of March 22, 2021.

Click Here to learn more and apply. Applications are permitteed via Grants.gov and must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on April 29, 2021; Paper applications must be postmarked by May 4, 2021. Please refer to the Federal Register Notices for more information on the deadline and various ways the Agency will accept applications.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for grants until April 23, 2021, to fund Montana projects that could stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) generally fund pilot projects, field demonstrations and on-farm conservation research.

$225,000 is available for the state-component CIG and applicants can request up to $75,000 for projects lasting one to three years.

Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 23, 2021. In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to jerry.shows@usda.gov.

Click here to learn more about USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants.