Tester Secures $3.5 Million for Butte-Based Sustainable Agriculture Program to Reduce Input Costs for Producers

Funding will expand markets and reduce input costs for sustainable farming practices

As part of his continued work to lower costs for producers and support Montana farmers, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $3.5 million for the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s (NCAT) Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural America (ATTRA) Sustainable Agriculture program.

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured these funds through the 2023 government funding bill. He was the only member of the Montana delegation to support this funding.

“With unpredictable and extreme weather becoming all-too-common, it’s important that we invest in sustainable agriculture projects and find ways to cut costs for producers,” said Tester. “I’m looking forward to seeing these funds reduce input costs and expand markets for our hard-working farmers in Montana and across the country, and I’m proud to support the work NCAT does to keep our rural economies strong.”  

This funding will support NCAT’s work providing resources and technical assistance that will help agricultural producers reduce input costs, conserve energy resources, and diversify operations by funding new energy generation facilities. The grant will also assist in expanding markets for agricultural commodities using sustainable practices. 

As the Senate’s only working farmer, Tester has been the Senate’s leading supporter of the ATTRA program and a strong advocate for agricultural producers. In October 2022, Tester secured $2.8 million for NCAT’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. In addition to securing these funds in the 2023 budget, Tester also pushed to have additional funding for ATTRA included in the 2024 government funding package.