Montana Department of Agriculture

What Montana Department of Agriculture does

The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is the state government agency of Montana responsible for agricultural regulatory oversight, market development, and producer services, headquartered in Helena at 302 N Roberts across from the State Capitol. Established in 1893 and led by Director Jillien Streit, MDA operates more than 30 programs organized into the Agricultural Development Division, Agricultural Sciences Division, and Commodity Services Bureau. Core service lines include pesticide management, organic certification, seed and seed potato inspection, produce inspection, feed and fertilizer regulation, vertebrate pest control, hail insurance, growth-through-agriculture grants, beginning farmer loans, and laboratory services.

Underlying the regulatory mission is a digital service platform: MTPlants serves as the primary online portal for licensing, registration, assessment reporting, and e-payments, integrated with the Montana state Okta SSO (ePass) and the USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database. The State Grain Lab operates USDA-designated official grain inspection at Great Falls and Plentywood, with AgTrax-powered online grade certificate delivery. The Analytical Lab (Bozeman, in partnership with Montana State University) provides ISO/IEC 17025-accredited fee-for-service testing for feed, fertilizer, pesticide residues, water, and forage. A December 2025 launch added the Accela-powered online pesticide portal for 24/7 self-service access.

MDA's revenue model is a blend of user fees (grain inspection at $60/hr regular and $90/hr overtime, analytical testing $200–$250 per sample with volume discounts, seed potato inspection at $0.095 per 100 lbs with $50 minimum) and state appropriations plus federal grants. Service delivery is omni-channel: 24/7 web portals, eight Commodity Services Bureau district offices and seven Agricultural Services Bureau district offices providing in-person services statewide, plus a Lewistown-based Vertebrate Pest Specialist. Customer segments are Montana farmers and ranchers (27,100 farms and ranches across 58.1M acres), agricultural businesses (commodity dealers, warehouses, seed dealers, fertilizer and feed manufacturers, pesticide applicators), and consumers benefitting from food safety and labeling programs. Montana leads the nation in chickpea and lentil production, and pulse crop value exceeded $145M (peas) and $157M (lentils) per disclosed figures.

Name

Montana Department of Agriculture

Legal name

Montana Department of Agriculture

Website

https://agr.mt.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1889

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The Montana Department of Agriculture is a state government agency founded in 1893, headquartered in Helena, that regulates, inspects, and supports Montana's agricultural sector through 30+ programs, online portals (MTPlants, Accela pesticide portal), federal-designated grain laboratories, and a network of district field offices serving the state's 27,100 farms and ranches.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Regulatory Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Farm Management Services (115116), Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFACAJAE

Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Farm Management & Operational Advisory Services

SECONDARYAFACABAB

Nutrient Management Planning & Fertility Programs

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Crop Consulting & Agronomy Services (Soil Health, Nutrient Planning, Yield Consulting)

SECONDARYAFAAAFAO

Farm Finance, Input Procurement & Risk Tools (Budgeting, Inventory, Insurance Links)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Equipment & Technology/Precision Agriculture & Farm Management Software (GIS, IoT, Telematics)

Keywords

• Agricultural regulatory services
• Grain inspection certification
• Agricultural laboratory testing
• Agricultural licensing registration
• Crop protection programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Helena

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. User Fees and Program Fees: Many MDA programs are funded entirely through user fees. Fees are charged for services including grain inspection, laboratory analysis, licensing, registrations, and various agricultural program services.
2. State Grain Lab Services: Revenue generated from established fees for grain testing laboratory services including regular hourly rates ($60/hour), overtime rates ($90/hour), sampling fees, and tonnage-based administrative fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Montana Department of Agriculture is a state government agency operating more than 30 programs that deliver agricultural regulatory oversight, official inspection and certification, laboratory testing, and market development services to Montana farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. Core services include pesticide licensing and registration, seed and seed potato inspection, produce safety and grading, official USDA-designated grain inspection, analytical laboratory testing, organic certification, hail insurance, grants and loans, and the MTPlants online portal for licensing, registration, and e-payments.

Product overview

The Montana Department of Agriculture operates over 30 programs organized as a unified platform centered on MTPlants, an online portal for licensing, registration, and e-payments. The department's core products include regulatory services (Pesticide Programs, Seed Program, Seed Potato Program, Produce Program, Feed/Fertilizer Programs), laboratory services (State Grain Laboratory, Analytical Laboratory, State Seed Laboratory), and market development programs (Pulse Crop Programs, Growth Through Agriculture grants). The MTPlants web application serves as the primary digital hub connecting all service areas, enabling producers to renew licenses, register products, report assessments, and make payments online. Programs are designed to protect agricultural producers, consumers, and the environment while fostering growth in Montana agriculture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MTPlants Online Licensing and Registration System Online database application enabling agricultural industry users to conduct business with MDA including renewing and printing licenses, reporting assessments, and paying for services through ePass (Okta-based) authentication.
• State Grain Laboratory Services Official grain inspection and certification services provided through USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service designated laboratories in Great Falls and Plentywood, offering grade certificates, protein analysis, and quality tests for wheat, barley, pulses, and other commodities.
• Analytical Laboratory Bureau Accredited laboratory providing analytical testing services for feed, fertilizer, pesticide residues, water, and forage samples on a fee-for-service basis in support of MDA programs and the public.
• Pesticide Programs Comprehensive pesticide management including registration, licensing, training, compliance, disposal, and container recycling services for pesticide applicators and dealers statewide.
• Pulse Crop Programs Marketing, research, education, and policy development support for pulse producers including chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas, including assessment collection and buyer-grower connection services.
• Seed Program Regulatory services licensing seed dealers and conducting inspections to ensure seed quality, purity, germination, and accurate labeling for grass, forage, cereal, lawn, and fiber crop seeds.
• Seed Potato Program Shipping point inspections for all seed potatoes grown in Montana, ensuring compliance with Montana Blue or Red Tag Grade standards for certification as Montana Certified Seed Potatoes.
• Produce Safety Program Food Safety Modernization Act compliance support providing training, education, outreach, and technical assistance for Montana's produce industry regarding Produce Safety Rule requirements.
• Produce Program Licensing produce dealers and providing inspection services to ensure fruits and vegetables meet USDA standards, including import grade inspections and export shipping point inspections.
• Vertebrate Pest Program Information and technical assistance on management and control of vertebrate pest species causing damage to agricultural crops, including ground squirrels, pocket gophers, prairie dogs, and other rodent pests.
• Montana State Seed Laboratory Seed testing laboratory operated in partnership with Montana State University, analyzing seed samples for purity, germination, weed seeds, and crop seed content for producers and the seed industry.
• Hail Insurance Program State-operated hail insurance program providing affordable crop protection for Montana producers, with online payment options and various payment terms including cash discounts.
• Pulse Assessment Program Monthly assessment collection and reporting system for pulse crop producers, facilitating market development and producer-funded research initiatives.
• Special Local Needs 24(c) Pesticide Registrations State-specific pesticide registrations under FIFRA Section 24(c) addressing special local pest control needs not covered by federal registrations, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, repellents, and rodenticides.

Quantifiable outcome

• Montana leads the nation in Chickpea and Lentil production
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Accela Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 3 December 2025Accela Inc. is a technology provider partner that developed the online pesticide portal for the Montana Department of Agriculture, providing 24/7 access to department services and information. The portal allows users to register accounts, view information, get questions answered, and access limited services for more efficient and convenient government interactions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship: State department of agriculture administering grain inspection, pesticide regulation, laboratory services, and producer licensing for Iowa farmers — directly comparable scope and regulatory mandate to MDA across crop production segments.
• North Dakota Department of Agriculture: Adjacent state department with closely overlapping producer base, crop mix (small grains, pulses), and regulatory programs (pesticide, grain, seed potato, noxious weed). Most analogous state peer to MDA in size and program portfolio.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture: Full-service state agriculture agency operating grain inspection, pesticide, organic, and laboratory programs. Comparable in scope, digital service maturity (uses similar online licensing platforms), and program breadth to MDA.
• Oregon Department of Agriculture: State agriculture agency administering pesticide licensing, grain inspection, produce safety, and laboratory services across crop and livestock programs — directly comparable in regulatory mandate and program structure.
• Wyoming Department of Agriculture: Smaller-population neighboring state with parallel livestock, predator/pest, and feed/fertilizer regulatory programs. Most size-comparable peer to MDA.
• Colorado Department of Agriculture: Western state agriculture agency operating inspection, certification, conservation, and laboratory programs across crops and livestock — directly comparable structure and producer service mandate.
• Kansas Department of Agriculture: State agriculture agency with regulatory, laboratory, and water management programs serving grain and livestock producers — directly comparable regulatory structure with similar grain-state profile.

Regional players

• Idaho State Department of Agriculture: Neighboring state agency with overlapping pulse, grain, and seed potato regulatory responsibilities. Comparable producer services and field structure; serves a separate state but with similar crop mix and rural delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• California Department of Food and Agriculture: Larger state agriculture agency operating across the full spectrum of regulatory, marketing, and laboratory programs. Same mandate category as MDA but substantially broader in scale and program portfolio.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Federal-level counterpart that delegates grain inspection designation, co-administers conservation and grant programs, and sets national standards that MDA implements at the state level. Parent regulator for several MDA programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MTAgriculture
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZjuOhPrQ07tiLslF04Ccag?view_as=subscriber
• Facebookfacebook.com/MTAgriculture
• Instagraminstagram.com/mt_agriculture/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/state-of-montana

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montana Department of Agriculture