Ag Council selects Growth Through Agriculture projects ~ Next Application Deadline is October 31, 2007 ~

The Montana Agriculture Development Council has awarded
$211,860 of funding to nine 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 awarded investment funds to:

— Going to the Sun Fiber Mill LLC, Kalispell, $26,000
return-on-investment deferred loan for equipment to increase the mill’s
specialty weaving and spinning capacity and efficiency.

— Vintage Cheese of Montana, LLC, Bozeman, $15,000 grant for a market
study to research potential wholesalers and retailers.

— Lee’s Worm Shack, Glendive, $11,350 return-on-investment deferred
loan for facility upgrades; $10,700 grant for advertising and promotion
of their worm business products.

— Native Ideals Seed Company, LLC, Arlee, $8,160 grant for marketing
and promotion to assist in the development of a local market for grasses
and wildflowers that are native to Montana.

— Montana Organic Producers Cooperative, Boulder, $22,350 grant for
research of the regional and national organic grass-finished beef
market.

— Earl Fisher Bio-Fuels, LLP, Chester, $44,400 grant for advertising
and promotion of the business’s products and oilseed meal market
development.

— Botanie Spa Organics, Inc., Missoula, $25,000 return-on-investment
deferred loan for market research of products that rely on Montana grown
organic safflower oil for a new product line.

— Montana Fuel Technologies, Bozeman, $15,000 grant for testing of the
business’s fuel additive product made from Camelina.

— Montana Poultry Growers Cooperative, Ronan, $16,000
return-on-investment deferred loan for equipment and supplies for the
cooperative’s mobile poultry processing facility; $17,900 grant for
design and development of the mobile processing unit, promotional
material, and development of a project training program.

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; 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 October 31, 2007. The council plans to review the
next round of project applications in mid December.

For more information and application materials, 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].