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USDA Invests $1M in Five Projects to Boost Rural Montana Agriculture

March 23, 2026/

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced that the 2026 Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) application period is officially open, offering Montana agricultural producers an opportunity to secure funding that supports business growth, product development, and expanded market access.

Producers may apply for up to $200,000 in working capital and $50,000 for planning activities, which may be used for processing, packaging, labeling, payroll, marketing, distribution, feasibility studies, business plans, and other eligible operational costs for up to 36 months. The program requires a 1:1 match, ensuring long-term investment in project sustainability.

“VAPG is one of USDA’s most impactful tools for helping producers capture more value from the goods they work so hard to raise and grow,” said USDA Rural Development Montana State Director Bill Warden. “We encourage Montana producers to take advantage of this opportunity to expand their markets, diversify their operations, and strengthen rural economies.”

USDA Rural Development is also announcing $1,049,900 in new investments supporting five Montana producers through the 2025 VAPG program:


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