Agriculture
News from the National Center for Appropriate Technology MONTANA — The Grow Montana Food Policy Coalition has released a new report showing locally grown and sold foods make a big impact to Montana communities. The report, “Economic Value and Impact of Local Food in Montana,” was completed by Highland Economics on behalf of the coalition. It shows locally grown Montana foods supports $158 million in retail sales across the state’s economy. The report evaluates the economic value of “local food,” food produced and consumed in the state of Montana without leaving the state for finishing and processing elsewhere. The full report can be found at growmt.o...
News from the MT Dept. of Agriculture HELENA — The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding folks that the Growth Through Agriculture program (GTA) is accepting applications for this year’s funding cycle. The application deadline is Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. MDA staff will hold...
News from Mara Silvers / Montana Free Press HELENA — The legislative committee that oversees the state health department voted Friday to delay implementation of the agency’s proposed rule expanding religious exemptions to required vaccines at childcare and daycare centers. The 9-1 vote to...
News from USDA BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Aug. 12 it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages partner resources to advance in...
News from AERO MONTANA — Two free on-farm raw milk production trainings for Montana farmers and value-added producers to learn methods for low-risk production of raw milk for direct-to-consumer sales under new law. Raw Milk Training best practices for safe production will be held: &nb...
News from the MT Dept. of Livestoc k HELENA — On Monday, July 24, the Montana Department of Livestock (MDOL) announced confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a Flathead County backyard poultry flock. This is the 10th HPAI affected Montana flock linked to a 2022 wave of HPAI inf...
News from USDA BOZEMAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $43.1 million available this year for two national-level funding competitions that support community agriculture. This is the third year that USDA is offering these national funding opportunities through the USDA ...
News from USDA MONTANA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allow Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants who are in the final year of their CRP contract to request voluntary termination of their CRP contract following the end of the primary nesting season for fiscal year 2022....
News and Photos from Lake Farms, Inc. RONAN — Over 350 fourth graders from across the county spent a day at the Senecal Ranch recently for Mission Valley Ag Days. The Northwest Counties Farm Bureau and the Western Montana Stockgrowers both teamed up with the Lake County Conservation District, MSU ...
News from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service BOZEMAN — The Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montana Association of Land Trusts, and the Heart of the Rockies Initiative have partnered to produce a 20-page report analyzing the economic impact of conservation easements in Montana. The...