The Montana Agritourism Grant Program, as outlined by the Montana Department of Commerce, supports rural and tribal agricultural businesses and communities by promoting agritourism activities. Agritourism is defined as commercial enterprises that connect agricultural production or processing with tourism, offering visitors entertainment or education on farms, ranches, or other agricultural sites. This program aims to diversify and bolster agritourism efforts in Montana, making it an important tool for local economic growth.

Eligible applicants for the Agritourism Grant include local and tribal governments, schools, members of Montana’s eight federally-recognized tribes, Montana residents, and businesses (both for-profit and non-profit) registered with the Montana Secretary of State. Entities must demonstrate that their projects align with agritourism and be the primary organizers of the project. Each applicant is allowed one submission per grant cycle.

The grant funds can be used for various purposes, including advertising and marketing, planning and development, education and outreach, and improving safety and accessibility for agritourism events or facilities. Applicants must submit a detailed budget outlining their costs. A key requirement for requests above $10,000 is a 1:1 match, meaning that every dollar granted must be matched by the applicant’s funds. This match can include in-kind contributions, such as volunteer hours, donated equipment, or space, which may constitute up to 25% of the match requirement.

Grant recipients will receive reimbursement for allowable expenses once they have signed a contract with the Department of Commerce and submitted invoices showing proof of the matching funds. However, grant funds cannot be used to cover expenses incurred before the award was granted.

Applications are submitted online via the Montana Department of Commerce website, and a review committee evaluates them. Priority is given to agritourism projects located in rural or under-visited areas and tribal communities. Importantly, the grant program encourages applicants to use data-driven metrics to measure the success of their projects, with tools and resources available through the Department’s Tourism Research Division and other partners.

For further assistance, applicants can contact the Department through the Tourism Grant Program website or email. The program provides a comprehensive set of resources to help grantees manage their projects, including templates and guidelines for successful grant implementation.