Gov. Greg Gianforte speaking with ….

Gov. Greg Gianforte speaking with Lee Dahlman of Dahlman

Farms. Photo courtesy of Montana Department of Agriculture

Gianforte speaks with Tyrrell Hibbard of Gulch Distillers.

Photo courtesy of Montana Department of Agriculture the group met with flour milling companies and baking industry representatives who rely on high-quality wheat from Montana and the Northern Plains. And in South Korea, the delegation met with importers and food companies that use Montana wheat in noodles, baked goods, and other products, as well as organizations that promote U.S. grains in international markets.

“These trade missions give farmers like me the opportunity to meet directly with the customers who buy Montana wheat,” Dahlman said. “Seeing how our grain is used overseas and building those relationships helps ensure strong markets for Montana producers for years to come.”

In addition to joining the governor’s trade mission, Dahlman has hosted multiple trade delegations from Asia at his farm and most recently returned from a North Asia board visit to South Korea and Taiwan.

Korea and Japan are consistently in Montana’s top five trading partners. In 2024, Korea was the second largest trading partner, purchasing over $335 million in industrial machinery, coal, beef, and wheat, while Japan was the fourth largest, purchasing over $265 million in exports including agricultural products, wheat, and coal.

“Trade missions help connect Montana farmers and ranchers with customers across the globe,” Gov. Gianforte said. “When we expand markets for Montana agriculture, we support jobs, strengthen rural communities, and keep our number one industry growing.”

Gulch Distillers Embody

Value-Added Agriculture Governor Greg Gianforte also visited Gulch Distillers in Helena to highlight the role of value-added agriculture in growing the state’s number one industry as part of Montana Agriculture Week and Month.

“Montana agriculture is our number one industry, supporting jobs, communities, and our way of life,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Businesses like Gulch Distillers highlight the strength of value-added agriculture by turning Montana-grown grain into award winning products. It was great to visit this business and hear how the Growth Through Agriculture program is added agriculture. “We’re proud to craft our spirits using Montana- grown grains and to do it right here in Helena,” said Tyrrell Hibbard, co-owner of Gulch Distillers. “From day one, our goal has been to create high quality products while supporting Montana agriculture and sharing that story with everyone who walks through our doors.”

Last year, Gulch Distillers received a $25,000 grant through the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Growth Through Agriculture program to support factory expansion and the relocation of its tasting room to the former Devore’s Saddlery building on West Lawrence Street to reach more customers.

The visit came ahead of an announcement of 2026 Growth Through Agriculture grant awardees later this year. The program provides grants and loans to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agricultural industry through the development of new agricultural products and processes.

“The Growth Through Agriculture program helps Montana businesses take our world class agricultural products and create new opportunities for producers, entrepreneurs, and rural communities,” Dir. Streit said. “By supporting value-added agriculture, we are helping keep more of Montana’s agricultural value here at home.”

From Opheim to Stevensville, the State of Montana awarded funds to 25 agricultural businesses in 2025 to help expand operations, develop new products, and strengthen Montana’s agricultural economy.

“As we celebrate Montana Agriculture Week, we recognize the farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs who add value to Montana-grown products and keep our agricultural economy strong,” Gianforte said.

helping them expand and thrive.”

Founded in 2015 by Tyrrell Hibbard and Steffen Rasile, Gulch Distillers produces nine grain-based spirits using Montana-grown ingredients. The distillery has earned several national awards and continues to grow Montana’s craft distilling industry while creating new opportunities for value-