Carter County, located in the southeast corner of Montana, consists primarily of gently rolling plains with shallow creek valleys and broad flat badland areas. Ekalaka is the county seat. Major streams in this semi-arid county are Box Elder Creek and the Little Missouri River. Rangelands make up much of the county, and an overwhelming majority of the land in farms is used for livestock grazing. Just 14 percent is used for crop production. Prime farmland present along the creek systems is often dedicated to hay production.
The NRCS office, located in Ekalaka, 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 Carter County Landowners
- Sheep Mountains - Lower Long Pines Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Chalk Buttes Grazable Forestland Health and Fuels Reduction Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Northern Great Plains Grassland Conservation RCPP Project
- Sage Grouse Initiative
- Southeast Montana Ventenata Control TIP
- Opeeche Park- North Ekalaka Hills Fuels Reduction 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
Montana Local Working Groups
Every year, county Conservation Districts and the NRCS host local working group meetings where farmers, landowners, conservation partners, and other stakeholders in the community discuss the natural resource needs for the county. Based on this feedback, NRCS updates the county’s long-range plan and develops new Targeted Implementation Plans to address those resource concerns.
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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