News

U.S. Wheat Associates has created a new film titled “Wholesome: The Journey of U.S. Wheat” that shows how the people in the export supply system maintain the wholesome, reliable character of U.S. wheat. Among the farms featured in the film is the Hucke family farm located in Geraldine, Montana.

Click here to view the U.S. Wheat Associates films.

Montana youth ages 21 and under may be eligible for up to $8,500 in loan financing through the Montana Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Junior Agriculture Loan Program.

“With the average age of farmers and ranchers being nearly 60 years old, supporting the next generation is vital to Montana’s livelihood,” said MDA Director Mike Foster. “The Junior Ag Loan Program plays an important role in connecting young people who are passionate about pursuing projects in agriculture with the financing they need to get started.”

Click here to learn more about the Junior Ag Loan Program and apply. 

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued an emergency quarantine order to protect against the introduction and spread of the emerald ash borer (EAB), a destructive wood-boring beetle that has already killed millions of ash trees in North America. The order was motivated by the removal of federal domestic quarantine regulations by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).

“It is important that we remain vigilant and do everything in our power to make sure that the emerald ash borer doesn’t find a way into Montana,” said MDA Director Mike Foster. “This quarantine order protects the green ash woodland resources in eastern Montana that provide habitat for many wildlife species as well as economic benefits to livestock producers and rural communities.”

Click here to view the quarantine order.

Click here to view the emergency rule. 

Click here to visit the USDA APHIS website to learn more about the emerald ash borer. 

The Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee is seeking proposals for demonstration projects, applied research, and market development projects designed to address needs and opportunities for Montana’s alfalfa seed industry. Proposals are due February 10, 2021.

For a complete list of guidelines and eligibility requirements, visit this link. Questions should be directed to the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee, PO Box 200201, Helena, MT 59620-0201, or by contacting Dani Jones at (406) 444-2402 or via email at Danielle.Jones@mt.gov.

The Montana Oilseed Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. Please see the agenda attached.

The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. To receive information to join the meeting, please contact Dani Jones at danielle.jones@mt.gov or (406) 444-2402.

The Agriculture Development Council will meet virtually Wednesday, February 17^th through Friday, February 19^th. See attached agenda for order of events. 

To receive information to join the virtual meetings, please email a request to agr@mt.gov or call (406) 444-0134.

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 program. Click here to learn more about the Agriculture Development Council. 

Governor-elect Greg Gianforte today announced his appointment of Mike Foster to lead the Department of Agriculture.

“Montana farmers and ranchers drive our state’s number one industry, and deserve a leader who will work tirelessly to help them capture more of the value they create,” Governor-elect Gianforte said. “With a robust understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by our producers and a strong commitment to meeting their needs, Mike Foster will serve Montana ag well.”

Foster joins the Gianforte Administration from the United States Department of Agriculture, where he served Montana farmers and ranchers since 2018 as state executive director of the Montana USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). As executive director, Foster helped Montana producers overcome difficult challenges such as drought, wildfires, excessive and ill-timed moisture, terrible blizzards, low prices, trade barriers, and a pandemic through FSA support.

Click here to read more.

The Montana Pulse Crop Committee will meet to hear a legislative update from 9am-11am on Tuesday, December 22nd. 

For more information on the Pulse Crop Committee, visit their website. 

For call information, reach out to Dani Jones at (406) 444-2402, or at Danielle.Jones@mt.gov. 

The Montana Organic Advisory Council will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, December 8th beginning at 1pm.

Please contact Virginia Corbett to receive information to join the meeting at (406) 444-3156 or virginia.corbett@mt.gov.

For more Information regarding the Organic advisory Council, visit the webpage, here.  

Governor Steve Bullock announced a new crisis counseling hotline funded by a $1.6 million federal grant is now available to aid Montanans struggling with their mental health due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“We know Montanans in every corner of the state have been impacted by this virus in various ways and I’m pleased this hotline is available to support anyone in need,” Governor Bullock said. “I encourage Montanans to use the hotline now to receive confidential assistance and get connected to the appropriate services in their community.”

The Montana Crisis Recovery hotline is funded and available for at least the next nine months. Montanans in need of crisis counseling can call 1-877-503-0833 to receive free and confidential counseling services from trained crisis counselors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.