Option #7 



Authorize creation of a marketing division in the 

 Montana Department of Agriculture to promote 

 Montana agricultural products in both foreign and 

 domestic markets and to assist producers and 

 marketers in dealing with potential buyers, trade 

 representatives, and government agencies. 



Explanation 



This option would provide for the establishment of 

 a marketing office within the Montana Department of 

 Agriculture. Currently, there is no formally 

 constituted division in the Department to assist in the 

 marketing of agricultural products. However, the 

 Department is engaged in some marketing activities. 

 These activities include market research, participation 

 in trade shows, and assistance to producers and others 

 who seek to market agricultural products. ^^ 



By and large though, the Montana Department of 

 Agriculture carries out its marketing activities without 

 much state financial assistance. It has received 

 sufficient funds for only one full-time equivalent 

 employee who has marketing responsibilities. As time 

 allows, the director of the Department works to promote 

 Montana agricultural products, and he meets with foreign 

 trade delegations whenever they visit the state. 

 Nevertheless, the amount of time he can devote to 

 marketing activities is limited, and these activities 

 conflict with his main responsibility as head of a state 

 administrative agency. 



The option being proposed has as its purpose the 

 development of a coordinated state marketing effort to 



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