Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for travel.

As funding allows, FACT awards scholarships of up to $400 for livestock and poultry farmers to attend educational events—including virtual events—to learn knowledge, skills and best practices related to humane animal management, business and farm finance, and/or value-added production processes. 



Current livestock and poultry farmers who reside in the U.S. and express an intention to learn about humane animal husbandry methods are eligible. Farmers must own or be employed by a farm that raises livestock (ruminants, swine) and/or poultry. 
- FACT encourages limited resource farmers, beginning farmers, veteran farmers, BIPOC farmers, and farmers belonging to other historically underserved or marginalized groups to apply for a scholarship.
- FACT is only able to award one scholarship per farm/household each year.
- Farmers who received a scholarship within the past 12-month period are not eligible for a scholarship due to limited funds. 
- Events focused solely on aquaculture, equine husbandry, and beekeeping are not eligible.
- Scholarships will not be awarded for conferences or events that have already been completed.

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Events

Certification

Distribution

Diversification

Stewardship

Certified Organic

Trade Relief

Legal & Finance

Labor

Within 14 days of attending the event, scholarship recipients are expected to complete a short report form about their experience at the conference. Scholarship recipients are invited to share photos of their farm or animals with FACT to promote their farm and scholarship experience. Scholarship recipients will also be added to FACT’s farmer email list.

Submit your application online via the portal at foodanimalconcernstrust.org/grants

Larissa McKenna

Humane Farming Program Director

The Food Animal Concern Trust (FACT) will fund up to $3,000 for the following:

- **Grants for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification:** These grants support farms that are pursuing one of three animal welfare certifications: Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) and affiliated certifications by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Humane (CH), or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Animal Welfare Certified (steps 4 to 5+). Proposed projects do not necessarily have to address a particular standard required for certification. These grants will be made for on-farm projects that&#x2004;help improve animal welfare.

- **Grants for welfare-certified farmers:** These grants are for projects that would help farms that already hold one of the certifications above to build capacity or maintain certification. These grants can be for on-farm production-related projects, or for other projects related to the marketing, sales, and distribution of welfare-certified products.

- **Grants for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals:** FACT will fund projects that would help farms transition to pasture-based systems, expand animals’ access to well-managed pasture, and improve the quality of pasture for animals. Farmers do not need to hold or be seeking certification. Farms and projects that fit into more than one category may select multiple types on the application form. Funding for grants made to farmers who are seeking certification or who already hold certification has been underwritten by generous support from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).



The Food Animal Concern Trust (FACT) will fund up to $3,000 for the following:
- Grants for farmers who are pursuing animal welfare certification: These grants support farms that are pursuing one of three animal welfare certifications: Certified Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) and affiliated certifications by A Greener World (AGW), Certified Humane (CH), or Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Animal Welfare Certified (steps 4 to 5+). Proposed projects do not necessarily have to address a particular standard required for certification. These grants will be made for on-farm projects that help improve animal welfare.
- Grants for welfare-certified farmers: These grants are for projects that would help farms that already hold one of the certifications above to build capacity or maintain certification. These grants can be for on-farm production-related projects, or for other projects related to the marketing, sales, and distribution of welfare-certified products.
- Grants for farmers to improve or expand pasture for their animals: FACT will fund projects that would help farms transition to pasture-based systems, expand animals’ access to well-managed pasture, and improve the quality of pasture for animals. Farmers do not need to hold or be seeking certification. Farms and projects that fit into more than one category may select multiple types on the application form. Funding for grants made to farmers who are seeking certification or who already hold certification has been underwritten by generous support from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

- Farms must be located in the United States and be working, independent family farms, or operated by a federally-recognized tribal entity. These are farms on which a family, individual or tribe owns the animals, is engaged in the day to day management of the farm and its animals, derives a share of livelihood from the farm, and produces a livestock product for sale. If you are selected to receive a grant you will be required to furnish a valid Schedule F or Schedule C form or comparable form from your 2019 or 2020 tax return; this document is not required at time of application. If you file a different form to report income/loss from your farm business, or are not required to file taxes for your farm business because you farm on tribal land, please note this in your application. 
- Proposed on-farm projects must impact at least one of these species: beef cattle, bison, broiler chickens, dairy cows, goats, laying hens, pigs, sheep and/or turkeys. Farms must already raise animals (i.e. produce-only farms are not eligible). Projects involving a new species of animals on an existing livestock/poultry operation will be considered.
- Only one application per farm per year will be accepted.
- Eligible expense categories include: materials, supplies, equipment, shipping/delivery costs, consultant/professional fees, travel, training, and hired labor costs.
- No funds will be awarded to: 
    - Farms that cannot provide a valid Schedule F, Schedule C or comparable form. If you are not required to file taxes for your farm business because you farm on tribal land, please note this in your application.
    - Non-profit organizations, schools, and farm sanctuaries are not eligible.
    - The purchase of animals (with the exception of livestock guardian dogs for all applicants, and breeding stock for animal welfare-certified farms), land, or recurring operational expenses such as animal feed. 
    - Projects solely focused on aquaculture, apiaries, alpacas, horses, rabbits, or other types of animals not included in the list of eligible species above.
    - Projects related to the production of raw milk.
    - Projects related to the slaughter of animals. 
    - Certification fees associated with animal welfare or other types of certification. 9. If awarded a grant, farmers must agree to a possible scheduled farm visit(s) by FACT and/or ASPCA staff, as well as flash photography and videos during the visit, and the use of the farm name/photos/video in FACT and/or ASPCA publications and websites.

Cattle

Bison

Beef Cattle

Buffalo

Chickens

Pullets

Dairy

Dairy Cattle

Chicks

Layers

Bucks

Nannies

Rams

Ewes

Lambs

Poults

Toms

Slaughter Goats

Feeder Pigs

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Fryers

Roasters

Butter

Cheese

Milk

Yogurt

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Cow Milk

Goat Milk

Livestock

Specialty Livestock

Poultry

Goats

Sheep

Turkey

Pigs

- Grant Application Form Questions (pdf)
- Previously funded projects (pdf)
- Example applications (pdf)
- Tips for a strong application (pdf)
- Funding Your Farm Short Course
- Get Your Farm Funded Guide (pdf)
- Grant Application Guidelines (pdf)

Irrigation

Wetland Conservation

Waterway Protection

Water Quality

Training

Facilities

Disaster Relief

Marketing

Emergency

- Farms that do not hold one of the three specified certifications may apply for an on-farm, production-related project that would improve animal welfare and expand pasture-based systems. Examples include the purchase and installation or fencing, mobile housing, or water systems for animals on pasture. For applicants who are seeking certification, proposed projects do not necessarily have to address a particular standard required for certification. If the project would help you make progress toward achieving certification, you may include this information in your application.
- Farms that already hold one of the three animal welfare certifications may apply for funds that can be used for on-farm, production-oriented projects as described above, as well as or other projects related to marketing, sales, and distribution of welfare-certified products. Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to:
    - On-farm infrastructure or investments (e.g. on-farm improvements to maintain certification and/or the increase scale and efficiency of the operation, purchase of capital investments such as certified breeding stock and refrigeration units, value added product development);
    - Supply chain infrastructure or investments (e.g. transporting products to market, coordinating pick-up, aggregation and distribution of food items from multiple sources);
    - Institutional or wholesale investments (e.g. investments to meet institutional/wholesale parameters or sourcing needs, such as increased production, product packaging, value added processing or administrative prerequisites);
    - Education or marketing efforts (e.g. educating local distributors to value welfare certifications, creating a cooperative, developing educational materials);
    - Joint sales efforts to buyers (e.g. outreach on behalf of multiple farms to local institutions, restaurants or markets to secure contracts that pull from multiple farms).


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.


MT Growth Through Agricultural Program

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&#x2004;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.



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

A payment that must be returned to the provider following specified terms of repayment and interest rate.

Loan

- Growth Through Agriculture Program Guidelines
- GTA Business Acceleration Program Guidelines
- GTA Marketing Development Program Guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions

Succession

$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

If two or more individuals or organizations propose to conduct a project jointly, they should submit one application as co-applicants.

To apply:
- Register Online: Before you can fill out an application, make sure that you have registered and received a username and password at www.fundingmt.org - see attached instructions below "Webgrants Registration Instructions"
- Log In: After registering, log in with your username and password and click "Start a New Application". Then fill out the application forms provided, being sure to "Save" often to avoid losing data. Application Instructions are also provided below.

The purpose of the proposal application is to provide evaluators with a written statement containing sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed activity is a sound approach to an important area of interest as outlined in the RFP and that it merits financial support. The Committee will conduct their annual meeting at which time the applicant may make a presentation in person. The Committee will then decide whether to fund the project and notify the applicant within 60 days.

Selection of successful proposals will be on a competitive basis and based on availability of funds. All proposals will be judged against the following criteria, consistent with the stated objectives of the program:
- The degree to which the proposed activity addresses a significant industry need or opportunity and evidence of industry support of such an activity.
- Applicant’s demonstrated experience and ability to undertake the proposed activity and to manage the grant compliance, including reporting and financial management.
- The adequacy of plan and time frame to achieve the activity goals. The Montana Pulse Crop Committee will fund successful projects through contracts under the Pulse Crop Research & Marketing Act. Selected projects must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, licensing and regulations for funds to be awarded. Evidence of such compliance may be required. The Montana Department of Agriculture will notify each applicant of selection decisions in writing within 60 days of the Committee’s meeting date.

Zach Coccoli

The primary goal of the Montana Pulse Crop Research & Marketing as stated in the enabling legislation, "In order to protect and foster the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of Montana, it is declared to be the public policy of this state to encourage and promote intensive, scientific, and practical research into all phases of agricultural commodity culture, production, marketing, and the development of markets for commodities grown or produced in Montana.” Legal Authority: (MCA) Section 80-11-1001 through - 1008 Montana Code Annotated. The Montana&#x2004;Pulse Research & Market Development Program is overseen by the Montana Pulse Crop Committee.


The Montana Pulse Crop Committee invites proposals to fund market development projects and educational projects designed to address Montana's pulse industry. All funding awards will be determined by the Montana Pulse Crop Committee or the USADPLC Research Review Committee. Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application involving practices or organizational arrangements that will stimulate an expanded pulse industry.



The primary goal of the Montana Pulse Crop Research & Marketing as stated in the enabling legislation, "In order to protect and foster the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of Montana, it is declared to be the public policy of this state to encourage and promote intensive, scientific, and practical research into all phases of agricultural commodity culture, production, marketing, and the development of markets for commodities grown or produced in Montana.” Legal Authority: (MCA) Section 80-11-1001 through - 1008 Montana Code Annotated. The Montana Pulse Research & Market Development Program is overseen by the Montana Pulse Crop Committee.

The Montana Pulse Crop Committee invites proposals to fund market development projects and educational projects designed to address Montana's pulse industry. All funding awards will be determined by the Montana Pulse Crop Committee or the USADPLC Research Review Committee. Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application involving practices or organizational arrangements that will stimulate an expanded pulse industry.

Proposals for funding will be accepted from:
- Public and Private Agencies and Organizations
- Business and Industry
- Educational Institutions
- State & Local Governments
- Individuals

Applicants must demonstrate a proven ability to carry out all elements of the proposed project. In addition, applicants proposing to rely upon the expertise of another individual or organization to undertake any part of the project must clearly define the responsibilities of that party as well as provide evidence of their willingness and demonstrated ability to undertake that area of responsibility.

Eligible projects are as follows: 

Developing the Pulse markets, including:
- Conducting market assessments
- Planning and conducting publicity and sales promotion campaigns, including media development and trade show exhibition.
- Expanding International/Domestic markets
- Overall market development of pulse crop industry

There is no limit to the grant amount a proposal can request. Eligible costs under the Montana Pulse Crop Research & Marketing may include, but are not limited to:
- Salaries and Wages
- Fringe Benefits
- Consultant Services (professional, technical, operational)
- Travel
- Advertising and Promotion 
- Equipment (preferably leased versus direct acquisition)
- Supplies and Materials
- Communication (telephone, postage, printing, etc.)
- Data Processing

Program funds cannot be used for the payment of institutional overhead or unassociated indirect costs.

Dried Beans

Lentils

Peas

Chickpeas

Dry Peas

English Peas

Green Peas

Snap Peas

Sugar Peas

Pulse Crops

Other Commodities

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Trials

The Montana Pulse Crop Committee and the Montana Department of Agriculture staff will be responsible for monitoring each funded project. Specific terms and conditions of each funded project will be contained in the formal grant agreement. The Committee reserves the right to determine the extent of reporting requirements, subject to modification during the project. Interim reporting requirements will be based on the cost, duration and nature of the project The grant recipient may be required to make an oral report to the Committee at the conclusion of the project. The oral report will be made at a regularly scheduled Committee meeting. A comprehensive final report will be required upon completion of the project. 

The final report should include:
- A comparison of actual findings and accomplishments of the project with goals and objectives described in the proposal;
- Reasons for any deviation from established goals of the proposal;
- A clear description of the commercial application and economic benefits, which accrued during the course of the project;
- A description of its immediate impact; and
- An estimate of its long-term commercial and economic benefits. 

In addition to the final project report, the Committee reserves the right to conduct a follow-up survey of funded projects in order to determine long-term impact.

List of Agricultural Funding for Travel