Montana 2026 Specialty Crop Multi State Program
🏛 Montana Department of Agriculture
✓ Free, no account · Source: Montana WebGrants · Last verified Sep 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to strengthen Montana's specialty crop industry. Eligible applicants include state and local organizations, government entities, producer associations, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. Applicants may apply individually or in partnership. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, peas, lentils, horticulture, and nursery crops (see official crop list).
Projects must benefit the specialty crop sector broadly, not a single commercial product or organization. Grant funds cannot be used to unfairly compete with private companies offering similar products or services. No cost-sharing is required.
Eligible activities include food safety improvements, FSMA compliance capacity-building, specialty crop research, seed variety development, pest/disease control, nutrition education, supply chain efficiency improvements, and sustainability initiatives.
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Program description
Through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP), Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) seeks to enhance the marketability and competitiveness of Montana specialty crops. Grants are available to State and/or local organizations, government entities, producer associations, academia, community based organizations, and other specialty crop stakeholders are eligible to apply either as single entities or in combined efforts. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, peas, lentils, horticulture, and nursery crops. A list of eligible crops is available online. The USDA Notice of Funding Oppurtunity estimates and epproximate 14.3 million of available funds for the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program. Proposed projects do not have an offical state or completion date as of now, however one will be set at the USDAs discretion. Applicants are encouraged to develop projects in the following issue areas affecting the specialty crop industry: enhancing food safety; improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act, for example, by developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in cost-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems for small farmers, packers and processors; investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes; developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops; pest and disease control; increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops; improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems and; sustainability. Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) will not accept applications for grant funds for projects that solely benefit a particular commercial product or provide a profit to a single organization, institution, or individual. In addition, recipients and subrecipients cannot use grant funds to compete unfairly with private companies that provide equivalent products or services. Submission Deadline: September 30th, 2026 by 5:00pm – in order to allow time to respond to any technical issues that may arise, it is recommended that to submit applications prior to the deadline. To apply: • Reach out to MDA SCBG staff and complete a pre application discussion. • If you have any questions , call (406) 461-5520 or email scbg@mt.gov . • Register Online for the Webgrants system . Before you will be able to submit an application, make sure that you have registered and received a username and password at funding.mt.gov • Once you have registered online, you will start an application for the AGR Montana 2026 Specialty Crop Multi State Program Application materials : 1) SCMP Project Narrative Template 2) Applicant Risk Assessment 3) Partner Organization Letters 4) Matching Funds Verification Letter • Once your application materials are complete, upload and submit online
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SCMP Project Narrative (using required template)
- Applicant Risk Assessment
- Partner Organization Letters (if applicable)
- Matching Funds Verification Letter
Program contact
- 👤 Caitlin Hortert
- 📧 c.hortert@mt.gov
- 📞 4064443407
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
State/local organizations, government entities, producer associations, academia, and community-based organizations can apply. Single entities or partnerships are both eligible.
What are specialty crops under this program?
Fruits, vegetables, peas, lentils, horticulture, and nursery crops qualify. Check the official crop list for your specific crop.
What activities are funded?
Food safety, FSMA compliance, research, seed development, pest control, nutrition education, supply chain efficiency, and sustainability projects are eligible.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
What is the award range?
Grants range from $250,000 to $1,000,000. Applicants should contact MDA staff to discuss project scope and realistic funding expectations.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Contact MDA SCBG staff at (406) 461-5520 or scbg@mt.gov before submitting. Pre-application discussion is required.
- Register in the Webgrants system at funding.mt.gov and obtain your username/password before starting your application.
- Submit well before the August 31 deadline to avoid technical issues with the online system.
- Use the required SCMP Project Narrative Template. Do not deviate from the format or structure provided.
- Emphasize broad industry benefits in your narrative. Avoid language suggesting profit to a single entity or unfair competition with private companies.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications focusing narrowly on a single company or commercial product get rejected. Projects that don't clearly address one of the eligible issue areas (food safety, research, sustainability, etc.) lack competitiveness. Failing to complete the pre-application discussion with MDA staff results in missed opportunity to refine project scope and strengthen proposal.
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