QPR trains individuals to become “gatekeepers,” or individuals who know how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, and know how to get help and save a life. This is a great class for those who work with the public in high stress situations.


If you are interested in attended, please contact Grace

Remote Montana Produce Safety Grower Training Course

March 19th & 20th, 2024 from 8:00am – 2:00pm Mountain Daylight Time, both days

This will be a remote training, via Zoom.

The fee for the training is $25/person

You can register by clicking HERE

 

For general registration questions or questions about the training, contact Andrea (406-444-0131) or Jessica (406-444-3001) at FoodSafety@mt.gov

Space in this course is limited. Registration for the course will be closed once we reach our maximum number of participants.

After you have registered, we will follow-up with you to provide specific details about the training and to confirm your mailing address and email address.

 


The training will take place via Zoom, which does not require special software. Zoom does have system requirements, which can be found here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux.



The FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in §112.22(c) require ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the FDA.’ If you, or another current supervisor or responsible party from your farm have already attended a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course, you are not required to attend subsequent grower training courses. However, we welcome all growers to attend the course again if interested.

 

To learn more about who should attend, what to expect, and the benefits of attending visit Montana Department of Agriculture’s Grower Training webpage.

Register for MFU Women's Conference Here

Grant Opportunities


Glacier Country Tourism Community Event Marketing Assistance Program


Purpose: The Community Event Marketing Assistance Program, offered through Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission, assists communities within the Glacier Country region to promote out-of-area attendance and increase nonresident visitor commerce and community revenue. This program is for either 1) existing events that have been consistently held in a community and have a demonstrated history of economic impact for that community or for 2) new events that can demonstrate through the submission process the event will generate out-of-area revenue coming into the community. This program is paid for and managed by Glacier Country Tourism. Events, creative and target markets must align with Glacier Country Tourism’s brand and strategic plan. Funding is strictly used for paid promotions on Facebook and Instagram. The community event must be held in the Glacier Country region, which includes Flathead, Glacier, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli and Sanders counties.

 

Grant Amount: 30-day event package worth $700 in-kind value.

 

Guidelines: Click HERE for the program guidelines. 

Due June 2024



Rural Energy for America Program

PurposeThe program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.


Grant Amount-

Renewable Energy System Grants:

$2,500 minimum.

$1 million maximum.


Energy Efficiency Grants:

$1,500 minimum.

$500,000 maximum.



Guidelines: Click HERE for the program guidelines

Due: March 31st, June 30th, Sept 30th

Contact Grace to learn more!


Fire Adapted Montana Learning Network (FAMLN) 

Purpose: This funding opportunity is intended to support members of the Fire Adapted Montana Learning Network (FAMLN) in small scale capacity building and aid in local fire adaptation work.

Reach out to henry.deluca@mt.gov with questions.


Due: Rolling Deadline

Learn more HERE


DEQ Announces $1 Million For Water Quality Projects 

DEQ announces $1 Million in funding available to help non-profit and governmental organizations implement nonpoint source pollution reduction projects. Examples of past projects include removing mine waste from streambanks, restoring wetlands and native vegetation, and working with farmers and ranchers to implement water quality best management practices. The recommended range for new applications is $10,000 to $250,000 per project, and 40 percent of the project cost must be matched with non-federal funds. Contact Mark Ockey (406-444-5351) for assistance.


Due: Oct 6th

Learn more Here  

Apply



Business Acceleration and Marketing Program

The Montana Department of Agriculture is excited to offer the GTA Business Acceleration and Marketing Program (BAM), to support businesses entering expansionary phases of growth and to aid in the access, development, and expansion of new markets. Funds are available now and are awarded on a quarterly basis, in the order the application is received, until funds are expended. These funds are to:

  • Help businesses access and develop new and existing markets.
  • Support businesses in overcoming market barriers
  • Expand businesses' digital/web offerings, including e-commerce.
  • Fund projects still in early expansionary phase of development
  • Support startup businesses in minimizing time to profitability.
  • Offer expanding businesses the ability to establish groundwork for capital expenditure.
  • Accelerate new, innovative products up to commercialization.


Grant AmountGrants up to $20,000 with $5,000 in equipment allowed, 50% cost-share over a one-year grant period

Guidelines: Click HERE for the program guidelines

Due: Rolling deadline, reviewed quarterly


Value Added Producer Grant

The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter value-added activities to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income.


Grant and matching funds can be used for planning activities or for working capital expenses related to producing and marketing a value-added agricultural product. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. Examples of working capital expenses include:

  • Processing costs.
  • Marketing and advertising expenses.
  • Some inventory and salary expenses.



Grant AmountPlanning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000, 50% cost-share

Guidelines: Click HERE for the program guidelines

Due: To be Announced

Contact Grace to learn more


Sentence Grants Available to 4-H Clubs

 

A mini-grant program available from Montana Farmers Union bolstered Montana 4-H club projects this past year, with applications now open for another $10,000 in funding in 2024.

 

The process is simple to encourage clubs to apply by submitting a sentence about how they would use $100.

 

Varied requests poured in last year for assistance with everything from barn tools to logo wear to healthier snacks to county fair requests to safety equipment to covering the costs of educational programs to funds to beautify communities to projects focused on aiding community members.

 

Grant recipients have the opportunity for an additional $50 if they publicly thank MFU for the $100 Sentence Grant. MFU offers the additional funds because an important part of receiving a grant is giving credit the funding organization. Publicly talking about the project is also an opportunity to share your work with the community.

 

MFU will continue the successful Sentence Grant program in 2024, with applications now open and another $10,000 in funding available. Let your local 4-H club know about this project and have them contact our office or your local ambassador for an application so as many clubs as possible can take advantage of this opportunity. Clubs can connect with their local ambassador at https://montanafarmersunion.com/education/scholarships-grants/



Due March 8th

Questions? Email Grace!