Food & Agriculture
Business Development
Building a food or agriculture business that doesn't need our processing facility? This is your starting point, a curated set of programs, funding, data, and expert help for food and ag entrepreneurs across western Montana.
Resources for Food & Ag Entrepreneurs
Not every food or agriculture business needs shared kitchen space. Many need something else entirely, a grant to scale up, market data to plan around, food safety guidance, or a business mentor who knows Montana. This page pulls those resources together in one place.
If you're a farmer, rancher, value-added producer, or food entrepreneur in Lake, Sanders, or Mineral County, or on the Flathead Indian Reservation, start here. And when you're ready to talk it through, our team is one call away.
Mission West
Programs
Programs we run directly. Our staff can walk you through eligibility and next steps.
Business Loan Programs
Lower-interest loans for working capital, equipment, and expansion. Not sure which fund fits? Our two-minute loan finder will point you to the right one.
Shared-Use Processing Facility
If you do need processing space: an FDA-registered, USDA-inspected, certified-organic facility in Ronan.
State Programs
& Grants
Funding and support from the Montana Department of Agriculture.
Growth Through Agriculture (GTA)
Grants up to $50,000 and loans up to $100,000 (1:1 match) to develop new ag products and processes.
Food & Ag Development Center Network
Free business planning, financing access, and regulatory guidance. Mission West is part of this network.
Specialty Crop Block Grants
Grants to boost the competitiveness of Montana specialty crops, fruits, vegetables, pulses, and horticulture.
Made in Montana / Montana Grown
Free state branding program, use the official trademark logos and reach Montana buyers.
Marketing Assistance
Market-development support, including buyer connections and promotion of Montana products.
USDA Funding
& Programs
National programs for food, farm, and rural businesses.
Value-Added Producer Grants
Planning grants up to $50,000 and working-capital grants up to $200,000 for turning raw commodities into value-added products.
Local Agriculture Market Program
Funds farmers markets, local food promotion, and regional food-system partnerships.
FSA Farm Loans (Montana)
Direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans, with set-asides for beginning farmers.
Rural Business Development Grants
Technical assistance and training that supports small rural businesses (under 50 employees).
Funding
& Lending
Lenders and loan funds that work with Montana food and ag businesses.
MoFi (Montana Community Development Corp.)
Statewide CDFI loan fund providing small-business and ag lending where banks can't. [verify link]
Native American Development Corporation
Certified Native CDFI serving Montana with a revolving loan fund and business support for Native-owned businesses.
Native American Collateral Support
State program providing collateral support to lenders making agricultural and commercial loans to Native-owned businesses.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance (RMAP)
Microloans and technical assistance through local intermediaries for very small rural businesses.
Technical Assistance
& Counseling
Free advisors and mentors who know Montana business.
SBDC Kalispell (serves Lake County)
Free one-on-one business counseling and low-cost training, financials, planning, loan packaging.
SBDC Missoula (Mineral / Sanders)
Same free counseling and training, the nearest center for Mineral and Sanders County businesses.
SCORE Western Montana
Free, confidential mentoring from experienced business volunteers, by phone, email, or video.
Flathead Reservation Tribal Extension
MSU Extension office serving the Flathead Indian Reservation with ag and community resources.
MSU Extension Farm Management
Tools, spreadsheets, and guidance for farm and ranch business decisions.
Data
& Research
Authoritative Montana agriculture data and economic research.
Montana Ag Statistics (NASS)
Quick Stats database, statistical bulletins, and Census of Agriculture data, state and county level.
MSU Extension Economics
Research-based economic information and decision tools for northern Great Plains producers.
Ag Marketing Policy Center
Applied research and education on ag marketing and policy for farm and ranch decisions.
Montana Ag Statistics & Maps Guide
A curated gateway to Montana ag data sources, maps, and economic datasets. [verify link]
Food Safety, Labeling
& Certification
Get and stay inspection-ready.
Local Food Choice Act Guidance
Rules for home-based food operations: registration, approved products, labeling, and sale limits (PDF).
Montana Organic Certification
State-run, USDA-accredited organic certification for producers and handlers. West-of-divide: (406) 329-1347.
Montana Produce Safety Program (FSMA)
FSMA Produce Safety Rule training, farm-status determination, and on-farm technical assistance.
Food Manufacturer FSMA Help
MSU-based assistance for food manufacturers on FSMA preventive-controls compliance and food safety plans.
Not Sure Where
to Start?
Tell us about your food or ag business and what you're trying to do. Our team will point you to the right programs and help you take the next step, no processing facility required.