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Helena, Mont. – Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Ben Thomas joined state and provincial counterparts from the United States, Mexico and Canada last week to stress the necessity of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for agriculture and to call on their respective federal governments to ensure a modernized NAFTA does not harm agriculture. North American state and provincial agriculture officials gathered last week in Denver, Colo. for the 26^th annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord. The Tri-National Agricultural Accord represents a longstanding commitment among the senior state and provincial agricultural officials of North America to work together collaboratively on agricultural trade and development issues.

Bozeman, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) will be hosting the first annual Montana Food Show in Bozeman at the Best Western Plus GranTree Inn on Tuesday October 10, 2017. More than 40 Montana fresh produce, meat, food and spirit companies will be showcasing their products to both professional buyers and the general public, with the goal of getting more Montana foods and beverages on Montana plates and in Montana glasses.

Helena, Mont. – As Montana cements its status as the nation’s leader in pulse production, a duo of bills signed recently by Governor Bullock aim to advance the burgeoning sector of Montana’s ag economy. HB 614 and SB 285 will incentivize growth in pulse-processing infrastructure throughout the state and give more structure to the state’s pulse checkoff program. Montana leads the nation in pulse production, with over 1 million acres planted in 2016. Pulses (peas, chickpeas, beans and lentils) are a versatile crop that promote biodiversity, improve soil health and generate income from local and global markets.