Montana Department of Commerce Allocates Grants to 25 Agricultural Businesses and Organizations
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HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 25 Montana farms, ranches, organizations and businesses will share more than $445,000 of grant funding to support rural and tribal agricultural businesses and promote economic diversification across the state. The funding is through Commerce’s Agritourism Grants Program.
“Commerce’s Agritourism Grants help Montana farmers and ranchers expand operations by developing new or enhancing established agritourism revenue streams, by creating agritourism opportunities with a focus on rural, under-visited and tribal locations, all while generating tourism revenue that will benefit local economies across the state,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio.
The following businesses and organizations will receive Agritourism Grant funding:
Eligible uses of grant funds and match include advertising and marketing; agriculture experiences or activities; business planning and development; education and outreach; and safety and accessibility additions or improvements. Eligible applicants include local city, county, tribal and consolidated governments; schools, including K-12, universities and colleges; enrolled members of the eight federally recognized tribes in Montana; and Montana residents and businesses, including non-profits, that are registered and in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office if required by law.
In 2023, the Montana legislature authorized Commerce to establish the Agritourism Grants Program by enacting Senate Bill 540.
For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.
“Commerce’s Agritourism Grants help Montana farmers and ranchers expand operations by developing new or enhancing established agritourism revenue streams, by creating agritourism opportunities with a focus on rural, under-visited and tribal locations, all while generating tourism revenue that will benefit local economies across the state,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio.
The following businesses and organizations will receive Agritourism Grant funding:
- Belle Farms Montana, LLC in Bozeman will receive $8,000 for a retail farm shop.
- Blarney Ranch in Trego will receive $8,700 for water and electrical system upgrades.
- Bodhi Farms in Bozeman will receive $10,000 to build a greenhouse.
- District IV Human Resources Development Council in Havre will receive $35,700 for the Havre Community Garden Greenhouse and Infrastructure Enhancement Project.
- Douglas Crabtree DBA Vilicus Farms in Havre will receive $10,000 for its Bugs and Bikes Citizen Science Program.
- Dusty Daisy in Glendive will receive $10,000 to expand its flower farm experience.
- Full Bushel Farm, LLC in Stevensville will receive $9,581 for a granary cabin and community classroom.
- Greycliff Creek Stables, LLC in Big Timber will receive $8,000 for a ranch u-pick program.
- Harris Mountain Multiworks, LLC in Clancy will receive $10,000 for guest cabin water and septic upgrades in Cascade.
- IND Hemp in Fort Benton will receive $35,000 for a climate-smart storage and demonstration facility in Belgrade.
- JM Bar Outfitter in Clinton will receive $8,000 for the education program Trails and Tradition: The Montana Horseback Experience.
- Kimmel Ranch Partnership in Turner will receive $47,365 to build a cabin for ranch guests.
- Live Oak Belgians, LLC in St. Ignatius will receive $49,286 for an 1800's cabin rebuild and cowboy bunkhouse bathroom.
- Mulder Enterprises, LLC DBA Old Town Farmstand in Three Forks will receive $9,900 to build a four-season classroom.
- Orion Farmstead in Ovando will receive $10,000 to build a farm store and greenhouse.
- Plowgirl Farm in Kalispell will receive $10,000 to build a dual-purpose farmstand and community space.
- Primrose Meadows in Missoula will receive $50,000 for infrastructure improvements and expansion.
- Rathvinden Farm and Sanctuary in Belgrade will receive $10,000 for an agritourism events project.
- ReWild Ranch, Inc. in Alberton will receive $10,000 for farm-to-fork education and agritourism marketing expansion.
- River’s Edge Retreat, LLC in Lincoln will receive $50,000 for an agritourism project.
- Rodi Farm in Laurel will receive $10,000 for a floral education farm visit project.
- Sentinel Ranch Operations, LLC in Roberts will receive $10,000 for an agritourism accessibility and visitor experience enhancement project.
- The 406 Greenhouse in Hardin will receive $10,000 to enhance its infrastructure and marketing.
- Township Road Farm, LLC in Worden will receive $4,100 for food preservation education classes.
- Trust Land Farm, LLC in Missoula will receive $12,535 for the U-Pick Ur Pickles signature event launch.
Eligible uses of grant funds and match include advertising and marketing; agriculture experiences or activities; business planning and development; education and outreach; and safety and accessibility additions or improvements. Eligible applicants include local city, county, tribal and consolidated governments; schools, including K-12, universities and colleges; enrolled members of the eight federally recognized tribes in Montana; and Montana residents and businesses, including non-profits, that are registered and in good standing with the Montana Secretary of State’s Office if required by law.
In 2023, the Montana legislature authorized Commerce to establish the Agritourism Grants Program by enacting Senate Bill 540.
For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.
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