Made in Montana Monthly

April 2021

Our logo is a badge of honor for artisans, growers, manufacturers and craftspeople working for something bigger than the bottom line

Taste our Place

Taste Our Place recognizes establishments serving ready to consume meals and beverages using Grown and Made in Montana ingredients. Research shows locals and visitors want to know about and support establishments that use local ingredients.

Who can join?

• Restaurant/Food Truck/Lodging Property members must source as many locally available ingredients as reasonably possible while consistently using at least one Montana grown or made item.
• Bar members must serve a significant selection of Montana-produced spirits or offer Montana-produced brews on tap
• Spirit/beverage tasting rooms must use Montana ingredients, such as Montana barley, wheat, grapes, hops, honey, or fruits, in the production process.

Why Businesses should join: 

•  It’s free!
•  No-cost promotion and marketing - Free online listing with madeinmontanausa.com, social media highlights, earned media opportunities, integration with regional and local tourism partners.
• No-cost collateral materials - window cling decals, sidewalk stickers, glassware, cutting boards, and more!

Learn more about Taste our Place and search the directory of current members here.

2021 Tradeshow - September 10 and 11

The 2021 Tradeshow may look a little different this year as we balance CDC, Montana, and Lewis and Clark County health and safety guidelines.  We look forward to hosting a great show September 10 and 11 at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds in Helena.

The Exhibitor application will be available May 19 at 9 am on the Made in Montana Tradeshow webpage.

Wholesale buyer registration available in July.  Looking for great products to stock your retail store before summer?  Qualified buyers can browse the Wholesale Directory of Made in Montana products and contact producers directly.

USDA Value-Added Grants Available

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is making an additional $35 million available this year in the Value-Added Producer Grant Program to support agricultural producers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding is made possible through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. In total, $76 million is available.

Also today, the Department is extending the application deadline to May 4, 2021. USDA originally opened the application window on Dec. 21, 2020, with an application due date of March 22, 2021.

Read the full announcement here

Grant Funds Available for Tourism-Related Businesses

Less than a month remains for Native-owned tourism-related businesses to apply for the new Tribal Tourism Digital Business Development Grant.

In case you missed the announcement, this is a new pilot program to help businesses prepare for the return of tourism by strengthening their digital assets.

This grant awards up to $6,250 for eligible projects under three categories:

• professional content development
• website development
• virtual experiences

Consumer interest in tribal tourism is high. With the right digital assets in place, your business will be better positioned to reach potential customers and convert them into sales.

Information and application here: https://marketmt.com/TribalTourismMT

Upcoming Shows

Courtesy listings from Montana show organizers.

Sunrise Festival of the Arts, June 12, downtown Sidney.  We are looking forward to a warm, beautiful day with a predicted high of 70 degrees! Food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, and special emphasis on local makers, authors, and crafters.  Please visit our website at: http://sidneymt.com/news-events/sunrise-festival-of-the-arts to register today. See you in Sidney!

ACF Start of Summer Show, June 25-27, Flathead County Fairgrounds (indoors), Kalispell.  The ACF Start of Summer Art Show, Craft Fair and Makers’ Market has openings for 70-90 vendors and we require that all items must be handmade.  Application Deadline is April 21, 2021, applications after that date accepted with $25 late fee, Applicants can sign up online or print and mail in application forms: https://artistsandcraftsmen.org/pages/summer-show

Yellowstone Art Museum’s SummerFair 2021, June 25-27, MSU - Billings Downtown Campus.  SummerFair will be a can’t-miss weekend of arts and culture in Billings starting with our collaboration with MSU-B’s expansive art department and ending with Symphony in the Park after SummerFair on Sunday. Applications for vendors are due by April 30, can be found at https://www.artmuseum.org/engage/summerfair/. Contact events@artmuseum.org with any questions.

Have a show or event to share with fellow Made in Montana members?  Please send an email to madeinmontana@mt.gov with the details.  We will do our best to share relevant opportunities.