The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC) is excited to announce the creation of a regional Food and Agriculture Development Center that will serve 12 counties in eastern Montana, including Carter County. The purpose of the Eastern Montana Food and Agriculture Development Center (FADC) is to encourage the development of Montana's agricultural resources to ensure that more of Montana's food, agricultural and alternative energy dollars circulate in Montana. The center will focus on adding value to our existing resources within Montana, keeping more of our agricultural products within the state by processing them locally, and exponentially increasing the value of our products before they leave Montana. 

The FADC is a joint effort through Eastern Plains Economic Development Center, of which Carter County and the Town of Ekalaka are members of, and Great Northern Development Corporation. These organizations applied to the Montana Department of Agriculture for $121,576 for initial funding for the eastern Montana Food and Ag Development Center. This will be the first FADC in Montana east of Joliet.

“We are thrilled to offer services that can support our local farmers and ranchers, as well as others interested in gaining knowledge about the food and agriculture industries. We have such a wealth of ag resources and knowledge in eastern Montana. This program will provide one more tool to help strengthen and stabilize our economy,” said EPEDC Director Beth Epley. It can provide assistance for a wide variety of things ranging from product development and testing to food processing and packaging to market research and feasibility studies to promotion of farmers’ markets. “This is an opportunity for our local farmers to expand and diversify, which is critical in our current ag economy,” stated Epley.

With eight different centers located across Montana, the Montana Food & Agriculture Development Center Network is a statewide technical assistance group that provides assistance to Montana's agricultural producers. Each center within the Food & Agriculture Development Center Network focuses on a specific area of expertise, creating a wide variety of services and information channels for the clients. For more information or to set up a meeting with the FADC, please call Beth Epley at (406) 853-6471.