Montana Growth Through Agriculture Program (GTA)

The Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program is a grant and loan program established by the Montana Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes. Examples of eligible project activities involve equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services for engineering. The GTA program is administered by the Agriculture Development Council (Council) which is attached to the Department of Agriculture.

New in 2023

The Growth Through Agriculture Program has added two new options this year:

• The Business Acceleration Program will award grants of up to $20,000 over two years to support early business development or expansion.

• The Market Development Program will award grants of up to $5,000 to help eligible businesses access and develop new markets for their goods.

Projects should primarily add value to Montana’s agricultural products, have prospects for achieving commercial success given the current personnel, experience and resources of the applicant and have the possibility to create and/or retain jobs in Montana.

Additional Loan Eligibility Requirements:

• The Council has the option to offer high and low interest loans up to $100,000 for those projects that meet the general criteria for funding listed above.

  • To be eligible for a low interest loan, the applicant must have unencumbered collateral to secure the full amount of the loan.

  • The Council can select up to two targeted areas for projects which would be eligible for low interest loans. These targeted areas will encourage specific types of projects and will inform the public of the Council’s particular interests. These targeted areas must be announced 60 days prior to becoming effective. 

Additional Grant Eligibility Requirements:

• The Council may award grants up to $50,000. In addition to meeting the general criteria for funding, grant applicants must demonstrate through their application that they meet at least one of the following additional criteria:

  • The project will benefit additional agricultural companies,

  • The project will accomplish research that will benefit agriculture as a whole, or

  • The applicant is a nonprofit entity.

Eligible Costs:

Eligible costs under the GTA program include, but are not limited to:

• Equipment

• Consultant Services (professional, technical, operational)

• Travel

• Advertising and Promotion

• Supplies and Materials

• Communication (telephone, postage, printing, etc.)

• Data Processing

$1 for $1 match is required for all types of Growth Through Agriculture proposals including both grants and loans.

Maximum $150,000 made up of:

• Up to $50,000 in the form of grant funding

• Up to $100,000 in the form of loan funding

1. Read the GTA Program Guidelines in order to determine whether or not your project is eligible and learn more about the details of the program to begin the GTA application process.

2. Contact Food and Agriculture Development Center network and/or Small Business Development Center network before you begin the application process. These organizations can assist with the application as well as required financial projections, key financial assumptions, business plan, and marketing plan. Templates for business plans, financial projections and financial assumptions are available on the GTA website at www.gta.mt.gov. 

3. Register and apply online through Amplifund at this link.

• Growth Through Agriculture Program Guidelines

• GTA Business Acceleration Program Guidelines

• GTA Marketing Development Program Guidelines

• Frequently Asked Questions