Fergus County, population 11,413, is located in Central Montana and is made up of a diverse landscape including cropland, grazing land, four mountain ranges, two rivers, and a multitude of perennial and intermittent streams. Gold was discovered in the area in 1880, and in 1885 the county was formed. Lewistown is the county seat, but there are many rural communities scattered throughout the 4,253 square miles. The county includes the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument, the Wild and Scenic Missouri River, and the C.M. Russell Wildlife Refuge. Fergus County is also home to 1 of only 3 ferries in the state that can transport vehicles across the Missouri River. The two rivers found in the county are Missouri River and the Judith River, which flows into the Missouri River on the northern boundary of the county.
Fergus County has always had a strong agriculture base, and this remains the primary economic driver today. The majority of farmland acreage is pastureland. Crops grown in the county include winter wheat, spring wheat, barley, dry peas, alfalfa and grass hay. The NRCS office, located in Lewistown, offers 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 Fergus County Landowners
- Big Game Habitat Improvement RCPP Project
- Improving Grazing Land Health in the Lower Judith River Watershed TIP
- Judith Basin and Fergus Counties Windbreak/Shelterbelt TIP
- Save Our Soils Great Falls Area TIP
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
Fergus County Local Working Group
The Fergus 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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