Montana’s pulse crop industry is stepping into 2025 with major momentum. Thanks to the strategic use of Montana pulse checkoff dollars, a $4.6 million grant was awarded in December 2024 via the USDA’s $600 million Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to help expand the global presence of Montana-grown pulse crops.
Administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, RAPP is designed to diversify U.S. agricultural exports by opening new doors in fast-growing markets like Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia. The program supports marketing, promotion, and trade facilitation activities that help U.S. producers navigate non-tariff barriers and secure market access in emerging regions.
The $4.6 million award is part of a competitive $600 million national initiative. More than $1 billion in funding proposals were submitted nationwide, and Montana pulse crops were among the few to receive significant support. It’s a clear win for Montana growers—and a direct result of how checkoff dollars are invested to deliver long-term value to producers.
This funding comes at a particularly critical time. Global tariffs and trade pressures continue to disrupt agricultural markets, and federal budget constraints mean there’s no guarantee funding of this scale will be available again in 2026. That makes this grant even more important. It allows Montana to act now—promoting our pulse crops abroad while the opportunity is still in hand.
For Montana’s farmers, this is a strong example of how checkoff contributions are leveraged to open markets and return real value to the farm gate. The funds awarded through RAPP will be used throughout 2025 to build new demand overseas for Montana’s chickpeas, lentils, and dry peas—solidifying our position in the global pulse economy.
Your checkoff dollars are hard at work. With this grant, we’re not just investing in exports—we’re investing in the future of Montana agriculture.
▶ Want to see where these dollars are going next? Stay connected with Montana Pulse Crop Committee for updates on export initiatives, new market development, and opportunities for Montana producers.
