Gallatin County is the most populated and fastest growing county in southwest Montana. The county covers over 2,500 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks and open ranch lands. Nearly half of all the land in Gallatin County is under public ownership administrated by the Gallatin National Forest, State of Montana, Bureau of Land Management or the National Park Service. Much of the private land is fertile farm fields. Gallatin County, population 107,810 with a growth rate of 3.59% in the past year, is the 3rd most populous county in Montana. The major communities are Bozeman, Belgrade, Three Forks, Big Sky, West Yellowstone and Manhattan.
Although agriculture still dominates parts of the Gallatin Valley landscape, its contribution to the overall local economy is declining, not because farming or ranching has not been profitable but because of the increase in non-farm earnings relative to on farm earnings. Retaining viable working farms and ranches though conservation easements has contributed to maintaining a healthy agricultural economy in Gallatin County. Working lands include pasture, forest, range and cropland, both irrigated and dryland. The principal crops grown in the county are winter wheat, spring wheat, alfalfa, grass hay, barley, oats, peas, canola, chickpeas, potatoes and some silage corn. The NRCS office, located in Bozeman, 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 Gallatin County Landowners
- Rooting for Soil Health Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Gallatin Valley Forest Resiliency and Watershed Health Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership Project
- Gallatin Surface Water Quality Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) TIP
- Missouri Headwaters and Lower Gallatin Basin RCPP Project
- Camp and Godfrey Creeks National Water Quality Initiative
- Horseshoe Hills Landscape Restoration Initiative 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
Gallatin County Local Working Group
The Gallatin 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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