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Montana Agriculture Development Council Selects Growth Through Agriculture Projects

The Montana Agriculture Development Council has offered $216,470.50 of funding to twelve Growth Through Agriculture projects for agricultural development, according to council Chair David Tyler.

"Growth Through Agriculture is a key program in the Montana Department of Agriculture’s efforts to assist entrepreneurs in adding value to the state’s agricultural commodities and enhance business opportunities in rural communities," said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.

The Agriculture Development Council oversees the Growth Through Agriculture program, the source of funding the council uses for project investments. The goal of the GTA program is to provide financial assistance to develop new products and innovative ideas.

In the latest round, the council offered funding to:

— Country Classic Dairies, Inc., Bozeman, $10,000 grant for travel and other costs associated with relationship building between the company and Chinese stakeholders.

— B.D. Organics, LLC, Helena, $2,500 grant for travel to California for horticulture classes.

— Milford Colony, Wolf Creek, $9,400 loan for the purchase of a cooler, stainless steel tables and a vegetable washer for the remodel of a vegetable processing facility.

— Montana Hereford Association, Townsend, $5,612.50 grant for the establishment of a Hereford calf sale.

— Superior Meats, Inc., Superior, $30,000 grant for the purchase of a commercial smoker.

— Country Foods, Polson, $14,900 grant for the purchase and modification of equipment, logo development, website development and the development of promotional materials.

— Cream of the West, LLC, Two Dot, $14,200 grant for Organic Food Handler inspections, the design and purchase of new packaging, the expansion of storage and packaging areas and website updates for the development of new organic products.

— Brookside Woolen Mills Properties, LLC, Malta, $48,658 grant for the development of a wool insulation production facility.

— Pioneer Meats, Big Timber, $30,000 grant for the purchase of a meat slicer, a vacuum stuffer and a summer sausage portion clipper.

— Montana Rawhide Branded Meats, Inc., Missoula, $20,000 grant for the purchase and delivery of a patty machine and a meat grinder.

— Botanie Natural Soap, Inc., Missoula, $10,200 grant for website upgrades and print advertising for new product lines.

— Mountain View Colony, Broadview, $21,000 loan for the purchase of new stainless steel equipment, storage crates, new cartons and printing dies.

Montana agricultural producers and industry representatives serve on the Agriculture Development Council. 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 July 31, 2009. The council plans to review the next round of project applications September 10 and 11, 2009 in Helena.

For more information and application materials, visit http://agr.mt.gov/business/GTA.asp or 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].

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