Programs & Services for Businesses
The Montana Department of Agriculture offers grant and loan programs, marketing assistance, and more to support producers and agricultural businesses. MDA also provides assistance, administration and enforcement of Montana ag-related laws and regulations. Browse our business-related programs and services below, and visit a program page for detailed information. To receive updates from MDA business development staff on exciting marketing and sales opportunities for you to consider, submit your business information to the MDA Ag Business Directory.
Beginning Farm & Ranch Loans
Tax-exempt bond program designed to assist beginning farmers and ranchers to acquire agricultural property at lower interest rates
Funds may be used to purchase agricultural land, agricultural improvements, and depreciable agricultural property
There is no minimum loan amount under the program
A beginning farmer/rancher must be a first-time producer regardless of the loan purpose
The beginning farmer/rancher must have a net worth not to exceed $450,000
Funds may be used to purchase agricultural land, agricultural improvements, and depreciable agricultural property
There is no minimum loan amount under the program
A beginning farmer/rancher must be a first-time producer regardless of the loan purpose
The beginning farmer/rancher must have a net worth not to exceed $450,000
Pesticides
Technical and compliance assistance to applicators and landowners
Environmental protection services such as waste pesticide disposal program, pesticide container recycling, and monitoring of our water resources
Online payments are available for pesticide licenses, adding operators, license renewal late fees, training manuals/study materials, pesticide training courses, and pesticide product registrations
Environmental protection services such as waste pesticide disposal program, pesticide container recycling, and monitoring of our water resources
Online payments are available for pesticide licenses, adding operators, license renewal late fees, training manuals/study materials, pesticide training courses, and pesticide product registrations
Farmers Markets
Find markets throughout Montana with FarmersMarketMT.com
Learn about the valuable role markets play in promoting healthy communities and local economies
Federal and state programs that provide funding assistance for Farmers Market activities
Frequently Asked Questions about Farmers Markets
Publications and resources for those interested in starting a Farmers Market and for current market masters looking for assistance
Learn about SNAP, WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition programs
Commodity Research & Market Development
Funds demonstration projects, applied research and market development projects to address specific Montana commodity crop needs and opportunities
Growth Through Agriculture
Grant & Loan Program
Strengthens and diversifies Montana's agricultural industry through development of new agricultural products and processes
Projects should add value to Montana's agricultural products and have the potential to create and/or retain jobs in Montana
Projects may potentially be funded in a single application for a total amount of $150,000 in the form of grant funding up to $50,000 and loan funding up to $100,000
Project activities involve equipment purchases, advertising and promotion, and consultant services
A $1 for $1 match is required for all proposals
Organic Certification
Learn how to be Certified Organic
Find application and reporting forms
Resources to assist organic businesses, including videos, links and publications
The latest national and regional organic news, including market updates
Learn about the Organic Advisory Council
Connections to organic research
Noxious Weed Program
Resources and assistance for the management of state- and county-listed noxious weeds
The Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant Program provides up to $75,000 per grant to battle invasive weeds
The Noxious Weed Seed-Free Forage program provides inspections and certification of forage products such as hay, pellets, and straw to prevent new infestations
Stop aquatic weeds from threatening the ecological integrity of Montana's rivers and lakes
Hail Insurance
The Montana State Hail Insurance Program provides basic hail insurance coverage on any crop grown in Montana
The program is self-supporting through a trust and reserve established with premiums paid by participating producers
The program works closely with private insurance providers in the state since many producers carry both state and private hail insurance
Program staff are dedicated to providing timely, quality service to the producers who are the ultimate owners of this program
Laboratory Services
MDA administers two labs: the State Grain Lab in Great Falls and Analytical Lab at Montana State University in Bozeman
The Montana State Grain Laboratory is the only federally-licensed crop quality testing facility in the state
Producers have the right to request official analysis at the State Grain Lab to assure unbiased testing for grain and seed quality and grade
Grade certificates are available online to allow quick delivery of results
The Analytical Lab provides reliable and defendable analytical results for MDA's feed, fertilizer, and pesticide programs, as well as to the public on a fee-for-service basis
Specialty Crop Development Grants
Enhances the competitiveness of specialty crops in Montana
Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, peas and lentils, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture)
Projects must benefit more than one commercial product, organization, or individual
Examples of enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crops include: research, promotion, marketing, nutrition, trade enhancement, food safety, food security, plant health programs, education, ‘‘buy local’’ programs, and much more
Marketing Assistance
To receive updates from MDA business development staff on exciting marketing and sales opportunities for you to consider, submit your business information to the MDA Ag Business Directory.
Assistance with ag-related business development planning, project coordination, legal and regulatory assistance, and other services
Programs and staff focused on business start-up and expansion, as well as business recruitment and relocation projects
Tap into new markets and connect to industry groups and trade shows
Support for international trade efforts
Food & Agricultural Development Centers
The FADC network help Montanans innovate and grow businesses that produce and commercialize food, agricultural and renewable energy products and processes
The centers- located in Joliet, Havre, Butte, and Ronan- operate as a statewide network serving community-based businesses throughout Montana
The centers support economic development by ensuring that more of the state's food, agricultural and energy dollars circulate in Montana
The network provides training, coaching and technical assistance, including product development, regulatory compliance training, food processing, business planning, market research, networking, financing, and more
Grown in Montana Program
We may be famous for Montana beef and grain…but that isn’t all we grow here
Today you can find any number of locally grown products to fill your pantry and prepare your meals
Grown in Montana , likes its sibling program Made in Montana , provides support and assistance for Montana producers and businesses that sell locally grown Montana products
MTPlants Online Services
The Montana Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce the launch of our new online database, MTPlants
As of May 2016, MTPlants is enabled for Feed License and Product Registration, Seed License and Assessment, and Pesticide Product Registration programs
By November 2016, we will be adding Fertilizer Licensing and Product Registration, and Pesticide Licensing
Industry users can conduct business online, such as renewing and printing licenses, reporting assessments, and paying for services
You can pay by credit card, debit card or eCheck and a receipt will be emailed to you
You will be able to print your license(s) and product renewals after successful completion of the payment process and anytime throughout the year
Rural Assistance Loans
Provides loans to producers with modest financial investments in agriculture
Loans are available to persons who are unable to qualify for financing from commercial lenders. However, the activity for which the loan is requested and the financial position of the applicant must show a positive cash flow and net worth
The total value of an applicant's net worth, including those of spouse and minor children, cannot exceed $450,000
The maximum loan amount is $75,000 per individual
Loans are made up to 80% of the value of the collateral used to secure the loan
Funds may be used to finance agricultural property, improvements, annual operating expenses, and agricultural land