Council chooses Growth Through Agriculture projects ~ Next Application Deadline is January 31, 2008 ~

The Montana Agriculture Development Council has offered $313,000 in funding to 13 Growth Through Agriculture projects, according to council Chair David Tyler.

The Agriculture Development Council oversees the Growth Through Agriculture program, the source of funding the council uses for project investments. The GTA program provides financial assistance to develop new products or innovative ideas that enhance Montana’s agricultural industry.

In the latest round, the council offered Growth Through Agriculture program funds to:

— CTW Energy, Inc., Bozeman, $49,830 grant for the development of a cold-weather algae production system and algal biodiesel production facility.

— Western Feedstock Technologies, Inc., Bozeman, $45,000 grant to assist in the development of a pilot-scale fructanosic ethanol plant which will utilize barley straw.

— North-West Pork Cooperative, Sun River, $25,000 grant to assist with a membership drive, the development of an updated marketing plan, and the procurement of management funding.

— Montana Hog Marketing Association, Inc., Malta, $25,000 grant for research and development of a feasibility study for a multi-species packing plant in the Great Falls area.

— Montana Monster Munchies, LLC, Bozeman, $5,650 grant for the development of gluten-free recipes and the "gluten-free" certification of the product and the recipient’s factory.

— Kenfield Wind Park I, LLC, Chester, $6,000 grant for professional services related to the development of an interconnection agreement between the recipient and Northwest Energy.

— West Fork Creations, Inc. dba The King’s Cupboard, Red Lodge, $5,000 grant and $5,000 loan to help the recipient attend the Winter Fancy food Show, Natural Products Expo West and Summer Fancy Food Show.

— Woolly Bugger Studios, Inc. dba Laurin School House Creamery, Sheridan, $25,000 grant and $25,000 loan for the construction of a mobile milking parlor and a sheep milk cheese production facility.

— Kathy Christensen, Elliston, $13,691 grant to assist with the expansion of the recipient’s natural egg production.

— Avery Peters, Ronan, $32,500 grant to develop marketing materials, establish a marketing campaign, and to engineer and install a new heating and ventilation system for the recipient’s greenhouse.

— Rick Gibby, Big Timber, $14,500 grant for market development related travel, design and printing of marketing materials and for the purchase and installation of a scale for natural lamb program.

— Trevino’s Tortillas, LLC, Billings, $15,000 grant and $15,000 loan for the purchase of equipment and supplies and materials.

— Max Energy, LLC, Missoula, $5,830 grant for research into the effects of gondoic acid and camelina oil on cancer cells.

During their presentations, the recipients committed a total of $613,000 in matching funds and services to accomplish the projects.

The Montana Agriculture Development Council heard presentations on 27 proposed projects at a quarterly meeting held December 2-3 in Great Falls. Council members are: David Tyler of Belgrade, chair; Patricia Quisno of Harlem, vice-chair; Ervin Schlemmer of Joliet; Bill Koenig of Kalispell; Verges Aageson of Gildford; Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture; and Tony Preite, director of the Montana Department of Commerce.

The next deadline for project applications to the Growth Through Agriculture program is January 31, 2009. The council plans to review the next round of project applications in early March.

For more information and application materials, contact Collin Watters, Growth Through Agriculture program manager, at the Montana Department of Agriculture, at (406) 444-2402 or by e-mail at [email protected].