Big Horn County is the sixth largest county in Montana. The local government was established in 1913, and Hardin is the county seat. Big Horn County has an area of about 3,208,900 acres. About two million acres of the Crow Indian Reservation, as well as over 445,000 acres of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation lie within Big Horn County. The majority of land use in Big Horn County is rangeland (71.9%), forest (13.4%), cropland (10.6%), and pasture/hay (2.3%). The Big Horn County NRCS service centers located in Hardin offer voluntary technical and financial assistance to private landowners interested in natural resource conservation based on a focused approach using long range planning with local input.
Current Financial Assistance Opportunities for Big Horn County Landowners
- Kirby Area Forestry Management Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Fly Creek Water Quality Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Rooting for Soil Health Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Conversion of Expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to Grazing Lands TIP
- Sulphur Cinquefoil Control TIP
- Ventenata Invasive Grass Control in Big Horn County TIP
- Northern Great Plains Grassland Conservation RCPP Project
- Pivot for Pollinators
In addition to these local projects, producers may also apply for statewide programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, national Environmental Quality Incentives Program initiatives, and conservation easement programs. For more information on these and other programs, see State Programs and Initiatives on the NRCS Montana webpage.
Additional Information
Big Horn County Local Working Group
The Big Horn Conservation District is hosting a meeting to gather input from local stakeholders to help prioritize natural resource concerns and guide NRCS funding opportunities.
Montana Focused Conservation
In Montana, NRCS uses a “Focused Conservation” strategy to guide its EQIP investments. Montana Focused Conservation begins with goals identified in local-level Long Range Plans. Based on those plans, NRCS develops Targeted Implementation Plans (TIPs) to guide on-the-ground implementation.
Learn MoreWhat's Available in My Montana County?
Current local financial assistance opportunities in Montana, listed by county. In addition to the local opportunities, producers may also apply for statewide and national programs.
Learn MoreMontana Programs and Application Dates
Program applications are accepted on a continual basis, however, NRCS establishes application ranking dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. Applications received after the ranking date will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.
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