Agritourism Grant Program

The Agritourism Grants Program is a funding initiative of the Montana Department of Commerce, administered through its Destination MT Division. Authorized under Senate Bill 540 (2023) and revised by SB 409 in 2025, the program was created to utilize lodging facility use tax (bed tax) funds to stimulate rural and tribal economic development through tourism-related agricultural initiatives. This initiative seeks to enhance agritourism opportunities across Montana and support local economies through increased visitor engagement with agricultural experiences. The program is designed to help Montana’s rural and tribal agricultural businesses diversify their operations, generate new revenue streams, and promote under-visited and economically underserved areas. Eligible projects include the development of agritourism infrastructure and services such as agricultural education programs, on-farm entertainment and recreation, marketing campaigns, farm stays, direct sales venues, and related hospitality services. The program emphasizes inclusivity by targeting rural, tribal, and under-visited areas for priority funding consideration. Entities eligible to apply include local governments, educational institutions (K-12 and higher education), tribal governments and enrolled members of Montana’s eight federally recognized tribes, nonprofit and for-profit businesses registered in Montana, and individual Montana residents working in agriculture. Applications are limited to one per applicant per grant cycle. Applicants can request up to $50,000 per project, awarded on a reimbursement basis. Projects under $10,000 do not require a match, while those between $10,001 and $50,000 require a 1:1 match, of which up to 25% may be in-kind contributions. Ineligible uses include general operating costs, real estate, vehicles, travel reimbursement, and any activities outside Montana or tribal lands within the state. Funds may only be used after the contract is signed and are subject to quarterly and final reporting requirements. The application process is managed via Destination MT’s website, with a provided toolkit to assist applicants. Applications are scored by a review committee using published criteria, and scoring enhancements are given to projects located in rural, tribal, or under-visited areas. Awarded applicants will enter into a grant agreement with the Department and will be assigned a liaison to assist with grant administration, compliance, and fund disbursement. Projects must generally be completed within 16 months unless otherwise approved in writing. The most recent application cycle closed on October 23, 2025. Recurrence details are not yet confirmed, but the program may reopen if new cycles are established by the Department based on funding availability and policy updates.

Prioritize projects in rural, tribal, or under-visited areas for scoring advantage. Ensure completeness of the application and alignment with program priorities like diversification and tourism impact.