Montana Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Grant and Loan Program
Montana Department of Agriculture — Agriculture Development Council
Grants up to $50K; loans up to $100K
Researched for this program: 4 rejection traps · 4 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Montana ag innovation grants and loans
Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) is a Montana grant and loan program created by the Legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana's agricultural industry by developing new agricultural products and processes. It is administered by the Agriculture Development Council, which is attached to the Montana Department of Agriculture. Applicants may request grants of up to $50,000 and loans of up to $100,000. Funding requires at least a $1 match for every $1 of GTA grant or loan assistance received. Eligible project activities include equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and engineering/consultant services.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- Grants up to $50K; loans up to $100K
- Realistic amount
- Most grant awards are at or below the $50,000 grant cap; projects needing more capital combine the grant with a GTA loan (up to $100,000). Smaller equipment or marketing projects often request well under the cap.
- Deadline
- Periodic application windows announced by the Agriculture Development Council; sign up for Montana Department of Agriculture funding notifications for openings.
- Status
- active
- States
- Montana
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Project must develop new agricultural products or processes that strengthen and diversify Montana agriculture
- Applicant must provide at least a 1:1 match ($1 for every $1 of GTA assistance)
- Eligible activities include equipment purchases, construction, advertising/promotion, and engineering consulting
- Administered by the Agriculture Development Council under the Montana Department of Agriculture
How it compares with other state grants
Of the 156 state grants we track, the Montana Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Grant and Loan Program has the 55th-largest published amount ($100K, against a $75K median across the 133 that publish one). It takes more work than most: about 20 hours to apply by our estimate, against a 12.5-hour median. It needs a cash match, as 42% of state grants do.
- Top amount
- $100K · 55th largest of 133
- Median, state grants
- $75K
- Hours to apply
- About 20 · peers' median 12.5
- Cash match
- Required · 42% of peers require it
- SAM.gov
- Not required · 3% of peers require it
Source: the GrantCompass catalog of 770 US programs. Browse grants in the catalog.
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Equipment purchases
- Construction costs
- Advertising and promotion
- Consultant services for engineering
- Other costs developing new agricultural products or processes
Ineligible expenses
- Projects that do not develop new agricultural products or processes
- Costs not matched at the required 1:1 ratio
How to apply
-
1
Watch for an open RFP and review guidelines
Sign up for Montana Department of Agriculture funding notifications and review the GTA Program Guidelines to confirm project fit and the 1:1 match requirement.
~3 hrs
-
2
Prepare application and match
Develop the project narrative and budget, decide on grant vs. loan vs. both, and document the matching funds. Submit a pre-application if required.
~12 hrs
-
3
Submit through AmpliFund by the deadline
File the complete application via the state's AmpliFund portal during the open window.
~2 hrs
-
4
Council review and award
The Agriculture Development Council reviews applications and approves grants and/or loans; awardees execute agreements and (for loans) loan terms.
~3 hrs
GTA lets you pair a grant (up to $50K) with a loan (up to $100K) in the same project, which is how larger value-added builds get fully capitalized. Have your 1:1 match documented before you apply — the dollar-for-dollar requirement is firm and unmatched requests get set aside.
Deadline & timing
GTA issues Requests for Proposals when funds are available rather than running a fixed annual calendar; the Department announces windows via GovDelivery and AmpliFund. Recipients receive quarterly technical-assistance calls (2026: Mar 31, Jun 30, Sep 29, Dec 29).
Get one email if this program changes
GrantCompass tracks Montana Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Grant and Loan Program in the live catalog. Leave an email and we’ll tell you if it sets a deadline, changes its terms or closes.
Free. One email when the window moves, deadline warnings on your watchlist, and the monthly closing-soon digest. Unsubscribe anytime.
Programs that stack well
Related programs
This program is not taking applications today — these are
Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on November 1, 2026 — all 170 open grant programs · filter the database.
Explore more funding
Last updated October 30, 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.