USDA Awards More Than $2.3 Million In Grants To Support Montana Agricultural Producers

In 2022, 17 agricultural producers across Montana received more than $2.3 million in direct funds through USDA Rural Development’s Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program which helps businesses generate new products, create, and expand marketing opportunities, and increase overall producer income with the goal of growing local economies in rural and Tribal areas.

Montana’s Value Added Producer Grant recipients in 2022 were:

North of Nowhere Farm in Opheim received a $49,900 grant to assist with processing costs and expand its customer base. North of Nowhere is a majority woman-owned business in a small community of 75 residents that uses regenerative agriculture to raise grass-fed beef and produce nutritional beef sticks.

Montana Greenhouse Project 365 in Saco received a $49,098 grant for working capital to expand its customer base and increase revenue. Montana Greenhouse grows fruits and vegetables that are sold to local schools, restaurants, and individuals locally, providing produce in a food desert area.

Todd Family Meats in Big Timber received a $48,173 grant to fund processing, packaging, and marketing efforts.

Lane Legacy Beef in Ismay received a $49,900 grant to assist with processing and marketing costs so it can expand its customer base.

BB Farms and Soap Co., in Jordan, Montana, received a $49,998 grant to provide working capital for packaging, purchasing additional ingredients and to develop a marketing plan.

Swanky Roots, Inc., in Billings received a $49,999 grant to finance marketing, distribution, and personnel costs.

Delpine Farms in Martinsdale received a $49,999 grant to boost marketing, labor costs, packaging, and distribution. Delpine Farms is a family-owned mixed vegetable garden and market serving small nearby communities by providing ready access to fresh produce.

Wicked Good Produce in Whitefish received a $49,999 grant to assist with payroll, packaging and labeling of products so it can expand its customer base. Wicked Good is a small-scale, diversified vegetable farm that provides local communities with access to freshly grown produce.

Big Sky Orchards in Big Fork received a $76,500 grant to expand its customer base and increase profitability. Big Sky is a local orchard that produces and sells pelletized hops to craft breweries throughout Montana.

Kokoro Flowers, LLC, in Bozeman received a $194,210 grant to assist with payroll, packaging and marketing so it can meet growing demand for its products. Kokoro is a small organic farm specializing in growing flowers and vegetables.

Math Farms Beef in Whitewater received a $211,436 grant to help with processing, packaging, marketing, and operational expenses. Math Farms Beef produces pasture-raised, grain-finished 100% pure Black Angus beef products.

Bar L Diamond, Inc., in Townsend received a $248,000 grant to assist with production, processing and shipping costs so this small ranching operation can expand its customer base and increase profitability.

Belcrest, LLC, in Bozeman received a $250,000 grant to fund production, packaging, distribution, marketing, advertising, payroll, and daily operational costs. Belcrest is a small, family-owned ranching operation that produces all-natural, dry-aged, ranch raised beef.

E&S Ranch in Eureka received a $250,000 grant to assist this direct-to-the-consumer grass-fed beef business with processing costs so it can meet the growing demand for its product in the Flathead Valley region.

Pintler Mountain Beef in Philipsburg received a $250,000 grant to assist with processing and marketing costs. Pintler Mountain Beef is a direct-to-the-consumer business that sells antibiotic and hormone free, humanely raised, sustainable, wildlife-friendly premium grass fed and finished beef and other meat products.

Valley Girl Mushrooms dba M&R Services in Kila received a $250,000 grant to pay for processing supplies, packaging, shipping, marketing, and payroll operations. Valley Girl is a small rural business that produces locally grown wholesale gourmet mushrooms.

Black Dog Farm, LLC in Livingston received a $250,000 grant for processing, packaging, and marketing of its products. Black Dog Farm is a family-owned small business producing pasture-raised pork, poultry, and egg products.

USDA Rural Development has six offices in Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Montana, call 406-585-2540 or visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt.