News

The Montana Department of Agriculture is currently hiring a Plant Science Specialist based in Helena. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Visit the Employment page for more info and other job openings with the Montana Department of Agriculture.

Come discover business opportunities in the heart of Asia!

Join the U.S. Department of Agriculture on its first-ever trade mission to Taipei, March 11-14, 2019, and learn how to expand your business to the United States’ eighth-largest agricultural export market.

Helena, Mont. - The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for an estimated $1.5 million in federal funding available through the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program. This competitive grant program is designed to expand markets for Montana specialty crops.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will sponsor seven trade missions in 2019 to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture across the globe, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney announced today.

Helena, Mont. – The Montana Pulse Crop Committee (MPCC) is seeking proposals for the Montana Pulse Research & Market Development Program. The MPCC invites proposals to fund research projects, market development projects and educational projects designed to address Montana’s pulse industry.

Research proposals are to be submitted through the US Dry Pea and Lentil Council (USADPLC) and are due December 8^th. The Research review process will be held February 12-14, 2019 in Fargo, ND. USADPLC will finalize its budget by June 30, 2019 and award notices will be sent out in July 2019. For more information on research proposals, see the USADPLC Request for Proposals at: https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2002/2018/10/20181004_RequestForProposals.pdf

Proposals submitted for market development or education projects must be received by the MPCC on or before March 1, 2019 at 5:00 pm. Proposals must be submitted through the Webgrants system at fundingmt.org. Instructions on using Webgrants can be found at: https://agr.mt.gov/Commodities/Checkoff/Pulse

Visit https://agr.mt.gov/Portals/168/Documents/Pulse/2019PulseRFP.pdf for a complete list of guidelines and eligibility requirements. Questions on applications should be directed to the Montana Pulse Crop Committee, PO Box 200201, Helena, MT 59620-0201 or by contacting Zach Coccoli at (406) 444-0132 or via email at Z.Coccoli@mt.gov.

The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries.  

The organic industry may now utilize the USDA Electronic Trade Document Exchange System (eTDE) to submit and approve organic export certificates and send them to participating foreign trade partners. Foreign trade partners can electronically review information about shipments leaving the U.S., validate printed export certificates, and pull electronic certificates directly into their own systems.

Click here or contact the Montana Organic Program at agrorganic@mt.gov to learn more about the eTDE organic option.

Are you a restaurant sourcing local ingredients? Looking for another reason to source local? Click Here for more info and join the Taste our Place program – it's free!

Click here to view the MDA Video on Food Safety Modernization Act & Produce Safety Rule Basics, or click here for more info on Food Safety in Montana.

The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through development of new agricultural products and processes. Click here to view and listen to a recording of the webinar on the Montana Department of Agriculture YouTube channel, or click here to download a PDF of the GTA Webinar Powerpoint Presentation. 

Hello Montana Growers!

The FDA’s Produce Safety Rule is in place (and was adopted by the Montana legislature) and is being implemented. The Montana Department of Agriculture has received a grant to provide support and technical assistance regarding produce safety to farmers. Food safety regulations are changing, and we want to ensure you have the information you need to be successful.

In coming weeks, we will be conducting brief phone calls to gain a better understanding of the number and scale of produce growers in the state. If you would rather submit your information through an online form, please go to www.foodsafety.mt.gov and click on “Submit Info for the Food Safety Modernization Act Inventory”, or, if you are unsure if the Produce Safety Act applies to you and your farm, click on "Determine if the Produce Safety Rule Applies to You" to answer a few questions and automatically see if you are exempt or if the law applies to you.

If you have questions, please call 406-444-0131 or email foodsafety@mt.gov.

Thank you from the Montana Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program