Request for Proposals for 2022 Montana Pulse Crop Research and Marketing Program
The Montana Pulse Crop Committee invites proposals to fund market development projects and educational projects designed to address Montana's pulse industry. All funding awards will be determined by the Montana Pulse Crop Committee or the USADPLC Research Review Committee. Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application involving practices or organizational arrangements that will stimulate an expanded pulse industry.
Request for Proposals for 2022 Montana Pulse Crop Research and Marketing Program closed on March 1, 2022. Awards will be announced at the June 6th, 2022 meeting.
Montana Pulse Crop Committee Seeks Executive Director
Application period closes June 1 at 5:00pm.
Click here for more information and to apply.
Chelsi Bay, Montana Department of Agriculture
April 11 2022
The Montana Pulse Crop Committee is inviting proposals to fund an Executive Director to address pulse industry needs and improve return on investment for Montana’s producers.
“The Executive Director position will take our pulse crop committee’s mission to the next level,” said Montana Pulse Crop Committee member Jill Streit. “We are looking forward to having a representative here in Montana to work together with producers to expand markets and trade opportunities for our superior quality crops.”
Committee members voted to move forward with issuing an Executive Director Request for Proposals (RFP) during their meeting held March 22nd at the Northern Ag Research Center in Havre. Proposals for funding will be accepted from: public and private agencies and organizations, business and industry, educational institutions, state and local Governments, and individuals. Submitted RFPs will be reviewed at the committee's next meeting on June 6, 2022.
To learn more and view the full RFP, visit the department’s website at agr.mt.gov.

Mission Statement
Invest in and deliver support for marketing, research, education, and policy development programming that improves return on investment for the pulse producers of Montana.
Click here to jump to committee agendas and minutes.
Pulse crop production has grown in significance in Montana, which became the leading lentil producing state in 2010. Acreage of pulse crops more than tripled between 2009 and 2011. Pea, lentil and chickpea crops provide additional revenue for farmers and fix nitrogen that can be used to boost grain crops following pulse crops in a rotation.
The Montana Pulse Crop Market Development Program was created by a vote of pea, lentil and chickpea producers following a process outlined in the Agricultural Commodity Research and Market Development Enabling Act (MCA 80-11-10).
The Pulse Crop Market Development Program is administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture under the Montana Pulse Crop Committee. The committee invites proposals to fund market development projects to address Montana's pulse industry needs and opportunities.
Research funding will be available through the US Dry Pea & Lentil Council (USADPLC). For more information, contact Dr. Susan "Evy" Jaconis, Director of Research at ejaconis@usapulses.org .
Visit the Pulse Crops page for more information on the benefits of pulse crops and the pulse industry in Montana.
Montana Pulse Committee
Board Members
Name | Contact Info | Term End | Qualifications | District |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ryan Bogar, Chair | 153 Vida East Road Vida, MT 59274 ryanbogar@yahoo.com |
6/30/2024 | Producer | Eastern |
Paul Kanning, Vice-Chair | Mail Route Road Flaxville, MT 59222 mtkanning@gmail.com |
6/30/2023 | Producer | Eastern |
Jillien Streit | PO Box 465 Chester, MT 59522 jsstreitmpac@gmail.com |
6/30/2023 | Producer | Western |
Todd Hansen | 900 First Ave Gildford, MT 59525 fourhland@yahoo.com |
6/30/2024 | Producer | At-Large |
Brian Aklestad | Box 58 Galata, MT 59444 montanalentils@gmail.com |
6/30/2024 | Producer | At-Large |
Matt Franks, Ex-Officio | 225 E Northern Ave Plentywood, MT 59254 mfranks@columbiagrain.com |
MDOA | Pulse Industry | |
Sreekala Bajwa, Ex-Officio | PO Box 172860 Bozeman, MT 59717 agdean@montana.edu |
Dean of Agriculture | MSU | |
|
Dept. of Agriculture PO Box 200201 Helena, MT 59620-0201 agr@mt.gov |
Acting Director, Montana Dept. of Agriculture | MDOA |