Highlights increased support for Montana meat processors

Columbia Falls, MT. – Last week, Governor Greg Gianforte toured Glacier Processing in Columbia Falls and highlighted the producer-owned cooperative that is prioritizing producers with its service-based slaughter and processing facility.

“Ranchers in the Flathead need a meat processing facility to help them keep up with increased consumer demand, and we’re seeing that at Glacier Processing,” Gov. Gianforte said. “When the former owner decided to retire, local producers banded together to keep the facility open to preserve a needed service in the community and state.”

After the previous, longtime owner of one of the only two meat processing facilities in the Flathead Valley retired, local ranchers and former customers of the plant came together in October 2022 to form a cooperative to purchase the Vandevanter operation.

In January 2023, a five-member board of directors was established by Montana natives and multi-generation ranchers. By August, the co-op was accepting members.

Discussing the importance of keeping the local meat processor open, the co-op board chair Mark Siderius shared, “We knew we couldn’t lose this facility. We came together to move forward with the purchase. I know it really makes Ron feel good to see us, as his former customers, stepping up to take over and allow him to retire. And his daughter, Jenny, is stepping in as General Manager. We are really an extension of the Vandevanter family and this family business.”

As of April 2024, the co-op is composed of 36 members and has the capacity to process 25 head of cattle a day in their state inspected facility. Through their federally inspected jerky processing facility, the plant is also home to Montana Jerky Company which is sold to customers across the country.

Increasing meat processing capacity in the state and adding value to Montana commodities is a top priority of Governor Gianforte.

In 2020, the governor approved several Montana meat processors to receive a $12.3 million boost in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program. Thanks to the investment, Montana processors have more than doubled the amount of meat processed since the governor took office.

And, to support Montana’s number one industry, the governor in 2022 announced the investment of over $7.8 million in value-added agriculture projects across the state to create good-paying jobs and expand business opportunities.

During the visit, the governor also highlighted several programs in Montana that aim to boost the skilled labor force for meat processing businesses.

Among them are the Miles City Community College's internship-based certificate program and Montana State University-Northern's meat processing center, which offer students opportunities to gain practical experience in the field.

In 2022, Montana added more apprenticeships to the Registered Apprenticeship Program than ever before, many of which were added following a rule change championed by the governor that went into effect that year.