MT: CENTERS SELECTED FOR FOOD & AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
News Date October 06, 2009
The Montana Department of Agriculture has selected four regional centers to serve entrepreneurs seeking to develop Montana-produced food, farm-derived renewable energy and other value-added agricultural products.
Centers in Glendive, Havre, Joliet and Ronan will form a network and collaborate with existing nonprofit, state, federal and tribal entities on services ranging from product development to business and marketing assistance. The four Montana Food and Agriculture Development Centers were created under House Bill 583 and a two-year $250,000 annual appropriation by the 2009 Legislature.
The centers are strategically located for ease of access. However, services that fall within the network's purpose will be provided to any Montanan, said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. Use of specialized skills at the centers will help entrepreneurs get the most out of the network, he added.
Six Bio-Product Innovation Centers in Montana, including those at Havre, Joliet and Ronan, will continue to provide business development and job training funded by a federal grant through the end of December. (Contact: Nancy Matheson, agr@mt.gov)