Helena, Mont. — The Montana Potato Research and Market Development Program is seeking proposals to advance opportunities and address the needs of the state potato industry. Grant funds total $70,000 this funding cycle. Proposals need to be submitted by 5 p.m. on October 20, 2015, through fundingmt.org.
Montana is a major producer of potatoes and particularly seed potatoes. In 2014, Montana produced over 3.6 million hundredweight of potatoes with 276,000 hundredweight used for seed. The total value of potato production topped $46 million.
This year late blight, the same disease responsible for the famous Irish Potato Famine, was discovered for the first time in Gallatin County, Mont. Producers are hopeful the recent warm, dry weather and targeted application of fungicides will minimize its impact. The Montana Potato Advisory Committee has identified stem and tuber diseases caused by fungi and bacteria research as priorities for the 2015-16 funding cycle. In addition, the committee seeks research projects focused on the management of potato viruses and their vectors, such as weeds.
The committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the department for funding. Projects must be innovative and not duplicate relevant research already available to Montana potato producers. If relevant research is available, the applicant must explain how the proposed research will build upon the previous research.
Click here for a complete list of guidelines and eligibility requirements. Questions regarding applications should be directed to the Montana Potato Research & Market Development Program at the following address:
P.O. Box 200201
Helena, MT 59620-0201
Questions may also be directed to Jana Mertens at (406) 444-2402 or JMertens@mt.gov.
The Montana Department of Agriculture’s mission is to protect producers and consumers, and to enhance and develop agriculture and allied industries.