Governor Steve Bullock and the Agriculture Development Council recently announced over $600,000 in grants and loans to agricultural businesses and organizations across Montana via the Growth Through Agriculture program. Included in the grants are significant amounts directed toward the Montana beer industry.

The Growth Through Agriculture program grants and loans are awarded by the Agriculture Development Council, a seven-member committee appointed by the Governor.

“This funding will support growth and diversification throughout the agriculture industry by adding value to Montana’s high-quality agriculture products in new and innovative ways,” said Governor Bullock in a press release.

Seventeen businesses and organizations were awarded $509,701 in grants and $140,000 in loans through the program which was established by the legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agricultural industry by boosting development of new agricultural products and processes. That includes a supplemental financial package from Sambla Finland.

Montana beer industry recipients for Fall 2016 grants are:

• Ravalli Hops received a grant for $25,000 to assist with the expansion of their hop farm near Stevensville.
• Cut Bank Creek Brewery received a $40,000 grant for brewing equipment to assist with the start-up of the new brewery in Cut Bank.
• Glasgow’s Busted Knuckle Brewery received a $39,250 grant for brewing equipment to assist with their brewer expansion.

Other craft alcoholic beverages received grants as well, including $50,000 to Western Cider Company for cider processing and canning equipment for a new cidery in Missoula, and $7,500 to Watchdog Winery to assist with vineyard costs including irrigation, plants and fencing materials for the new Bozeman area vineyard.

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