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Development Council selects Growth Through Agriculture projects ~ Next Application Deadline is April 30, 2007

The Montana Agriculture Development Council has awarded
$381,091 of funding to 14 Growth Through Agriculture projects for
agricultural development, according to council Chair John Franklin.

"We had an excellent and diverse group of applicants, including projects
using new technology and the expansion of existing businesses through
marketing and equipment upgrades," said Nancy K. Peterson, 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 or innovative ideas that enhance our
state’s agricultural industry.

In the latest round, the council awarded investment funds to:

— Montana Merchandising, Inc. doing business as Montana Milling, Inc.,
Great Falls, $50,000 return-on-investment deferred loan toward the
expansion of the production into new markets.

— Elliotts, Fort Benton, $25,000 return-on-investment loan for
production and storage upgrades; $25,000 grant for expanded development
of brand recognition.

— PrecisionCropManagement, LLC and RapidEye, AG, Cut Bank, $16,300
grant toward the development of a remote sensing program to optimize
grain production and quality.

— Bitterroot Gardeners Collective, Corvallis, $7,921 grant toward the
purchase of food growing and harvesting equipment to establish a garden
tool library.

— National Carbon Offset Coalition, Inc., Butte, $20,000 grant toward
the development of a cropland based carbon credit trading program.

— Glacier Fresh Orchard and Packing House, Bigfork, $50,000
return-on-investment loan toward the business’s expansion and cold
storage upgrades.

— Brandborg and Associates, doing business as the Bitterroot Fish
Hatchery, Hamilton, $7,600 return-on-investment deferred loan toward the
development and enhancement of the hatchery’s fresh water system.

— Lil Blue Heeler, Inc., Great Falls, $27,820 return-on-investment loan
toward the creation and implementation of a strategic sales and
marketing plan.

— Xionetic Technologies, Inc., Bozeman, $21,250 grant toward the
creation and facilitation of an oilseed exchange Internet site.

— Bighorn Botanicals, Inc., $35,000 return-on-investment loan toward
the expansion of the business’s manufacturing capabilities.

— Pondera Economic Development Corporation, Conrad, $11,500 grant
toward a business plan and plant and wastewater treatment system
engineering designs for the Regional Montana Meat Processing Plant.

— Montana CiderWorks, Sula, $13,700 grant for expansion and cider
equipment upgrades.

— US Omega3 Foods, LLC, Florence, $50,000 return-on-investment loan
toward the launch of the business’s national marketing campaign.

— Madison county Economic Development Council, Virginia City, $20,000
grant toward marketing brand recognition of "Montana Black", as locally
raised, natural Montana beef.

Montana agricultural producers and industry representatives serve on the
Agriculture Development Council. Council members are: John Franklin of
Sidney, chair; David Tyler of Belgrade, vice-chair; Ervin Schlemmer of
Joliet; Patricia Quisno of Harlem; Bill Koenig of Kalispell; Nancy K.
Peterson, 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 April 30, 2007. The council plans to review the
next round of project applications in early June.

For more information and application materials, contact Justin Hager,
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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