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Montana Farmers Union (MFU) Foundation has awarded more than $83,000 through its Community Grant Program to 34 projects across Montana, supporting initiatives that expand opportunities, strengthen agriculture, and enhance the resilience of rural communities.
MFU President Walter Schweitzer said, “Over the years, the MFU Foundation has supported educational programs that teach kids how to grow food while providing tools for school workshops that introduce students to the trades. These grants help fill gaps in school funding, giving students a more well-rounded education. Learning to grow their own food builds resilience and encourages healthier eating habits.”
Launched in 2022, the Foundation has awarded and leveraged more than $60,000 for projects in rural communities, building on its commitment to investing in local efforts and community-led solutions.
MFU is a grassroots organization, and the Foundation’s grant program provides resources for projects that create meaningful local impact. Past grant recipients have used the funding for a variety of needs, including boosting microgreen programs and purchasing welders for shop classes.
This year, the Foundation awarded an additional $83,697 to support a wide range of projects, from community beef and food initiatives to hydroponic units and leadership programs for girls.
Emphasizing the importance of local funding, Schweitzer added, "Many high schools quit their trades programs due to lack of funding. Every trades program we preserve helps more students pursue careers in the skilled trades, including plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, and mechanics—creating future opportunities for young people while strengthening our rural communities.”
Grant recipients:
Blackfeet Agriculture Department, Heart Butte Community Beef and Food Project, $7,500
Augusta FFA, metal cabinet for school shop storage, $3,100
Superior School District, school garden, $1,000
Wibaux Public School, Greenhouse at Wibaux School, $2,000
Fromberg School – FFA, School Barn Project, $5,000
Dutton/Brady Public School, hydroponic unit for fresh produce at school, $3,000
Havre FFA Alumni and Supporters, printer/copier for FFA materials, $250
Montana Land to Hand, hands-on garden and nutrition education, $2,000
Red Ants Pants Festival Foundation, Eastern MT Girls Leadership Program, $5,000
Circle Public Schools, school greenhouse, $2,000
Liberty County 4-H Council, 4-H Cloverbud Camp, $500
Belgrade FFA, Belgrade school farm and community garden, $2,000
Power High School, fire and soil school project for algebra students, $6,500
Southwest Montana Youth Partners, youth mental health program funding, $1,300
Cardwell School District, raised bed gardens for school and community, $1,000
Farm to School of Park County, vehicle repairs for Farm to School vehicle, $3,500
Plevna FFA, FFA Greenhouse, $2,000
Montana 4-H, small animal school, $500
Kalispell Montessori Elementary School, school garden, $1,000
Farm in the Dell Rocky Mountain Front, Water Cistern, $1,500
Mission West Community Development Partners, Montana Marinara Project, $5,000
MSU Fort Belknap Extension, Wasay Wakpa Walipini greenhouse repairs, $2,000
Denton FFA, ag equipment trailer for ag education & FFA, $2,000
Box Elder School District, grow towers for the lunchroom, $5,000
Froid Public School, chop saw and miter saw for shop program, $2,000
Arrowhead School District, school garden program, $1,000
Heart of Montana Farm in the Dell, 15 raised beds and soil for the hoop house, $1,500
Scobey School Ag-Education Project, LabQuest3 Interface and ASP Go Direct Sensor Package, $2,237
Belt Valley FFA, portable greenhouses and seed pods for hydroponic system, $1,000
Boys & Girls Club of Richland County, garden production initiative, $1,000
Bridger High School, multimatic welder for school shop, $3,310
Chester Joplin Inverness FFA, FFA Greenhouse, $1,000
Cutbank School District, hydroponic grow towers, $5,000
Victor School District, poultry processing program, $1,000
To learn more about MFU Foundation grants, visit www.montanafarmersunion.com
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