Agriculture

News from the office of Senator Tester BIG SANDY — Following his direct appeal to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last month urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make investments in new meat processing facilities, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today celebrated the USDA announcement that it would invest $500 million in meat and poultry capacity building with the goals of increasing choice and negotiation options for producers as well as $100 million in relief through a fee waiver for inspection and overtime fees for small and medium processors. This funding is provided through the American Rescue Plan, the most recent coronavirus relief package, which Senator Tester helped ...

News from USDA MONTANA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is investing up to $15 million to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservati...

From MSU News Service MONTANA — Ranchers wanting to hone their grazing management skills are encouraged to register for this year’s 406 Grazing Academy. The three-day, hands-on workshop is offered cooperatively by the Rangeland Resources Program in the Montana Department of Natural Resources...

Students from Ronan Middle School gained a glimmer of where their food comes from during Ag Days, May 5-6, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Ronan.  The annual event, which typically attracts 250 fourth and fifth grade students from Ronan and Polson who navigate at least a dozen informational station...

LAKE COUNTY – Pollinator Week, sponsored by the Lake County Conservation District, was by all accounts a success – both at educating the public on the value of pollinators and giving free seeds to gardeners who want to plant plots that attract these beneficial insects and birds.  Accordin...

News from LCCD LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Conservation District welcomes spring with Pollinator Week, April 2-11. In addition to giving away free pollinator seed mixes made specifically for Lake County, the organizations is hosting an online scavenger hunt with prizes, a site prep workshop, tri...

News from USDA  BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals to fund up to $75 million in new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s Alternative Funding Arrangements that take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation ...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Par ks Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is requesting proposals from qualified applicants for an agricultural lease on approximately 100 acres at the Ray Kuhns Wildlife Management Area north of Kalispell. The Ray Kuhns WMA, situated along Farm to Market Road, provid...

    News from the Governor’s Office HELENA — Governor Gianforte and the Agriculture Development Council announced the recipients of $834,646 in grants and loans awarded through the Growth Through Agriculture program.   “Expanding value-added agriculture helps Mont...

News from Free the Seeds FLATHEAD VALLEY — “Free the Seeds” returns to the Flathead Valley from March 6–8, 2021, for a sixth year of workshops and free seeds. This year’s event features a drive-up heirloom seed giveaway and free virtual workshops that promote real seeds, re...