Commerce’s Agritourism Grant Program Allocates Funds to Promote Agricultural Tourism Across Montana

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  • December 18 2024
HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that over $350,000 of grant funding will be divided among 17 agricultural businesses and communities throughout Montana. These funds will support diversification, agricultural opportunities and tourism revenue across the state. The funding is through Commerce’s Agritourism Grant Program.

“As a state with a strong focus on agriculture and an abundance of rural communities, agritourism is a uniquely beneficial opportunity for Montana,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “Through supporting both rural and tribal agricultural businesses, Commerce can showcase Montana’s distinct cultures and encourage the diversification of agricultural operations.”

Agritourism is a commercial enterprise that links tourism with agricultural production to attract visitors to ranches, farms or other agricultural businesses for entertainment or educational purposes. The Agritourism Grant Program assists rural businesses with their efforts to promote agritourism in their communities.

The following will receive Agritourism Grant Program funding:
  • Border Farm in Bozeman will receive $10,000 for the Processing Kitchen and Farm Classroom Project.
  • Blonde Farms of Montana in Ledger will receive $10,000 for the Farrowing Barn Expansion Project.
  • Wickens Salt Creek Ranch, LLC in Hilger will receive $10,000 for the Montana Savory Hub Project.
  • PR Country Comforts in Forsyth will receive $50,000 for the Honey House Project.
  • Red Hen Farm and Orchard, LLC in Missoula will receive $31,484.99 for the Red Hen Farm Classroom and Farm Stay Project.
  • Primrose Farm and Bakehouse in Missoula will receive $9,795 for the Education Shelter and Expansion Project.
  • ReWild Ranch, Inc. in Missoula will receive $49,400 for the ReWild Final Phase Agritourism Project.
  • Victory Gardens in Missoula will receive $50,000 for the Victory Gardens Education Center.
  • Country Pumpkins in Havre will receive $10,000 for the Country Pumpkin Activity Expansion Project.
  • The Smokehouse, LLC in Polson will receive $7,215 for the Hyper-Local Farm-to-Table Project.
  • KRose Company in Kalispell will receive $50,000 for She’s a Hand Ranch Camp.
  • Alberton Orchards in Alberton will receive $5,700 for the Enhance Alberton Orchard Agritourism Project.
  • Sweet Grass County in Big Timber will receive $25,000 for the Sweet Grass County Fairground Grandstands Improvement Project.
  • Montana Moments, LLC in Glendive will receive $16,810.50 for Expanding Our AGvocacy Through Eastern Montana Tourism.
  • Shugabeet Farm Organics in Emigrant will receive $4,500 for the Shugabeet Farmstead: From Field to Feast Project.
  • AG Talk, LLC – DBA Manner West in Forsyth will receive $5,000 for the Farm Store and On-Farm Event Space Project.
  • Live Oak Belgians, LLC in St. Ignatius will receive $9,660 for the Barn and Cabin Reconstruction Project.
Eligible applicants for the Agritourism Grant Program include local governments, schools, tribal governments, enrolled tribe members, Montana residents and businesses that work in Montana’s agriculture sector, provide agriculture experiences or offer agritourism opportunities to the public. The Agritourism Grant Program is a state-funded opportunity authorized by the 2023 Montana Legislature’s enactment of Senate Bill 540.

For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.

Tags: Business and Press Release