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Daniels County

Daniels County in the northeast corner of Montana borders Canada on the north and has an area of 1,425 square miles. The county, which lies within the prairie pothole region of the Northern Great Plains, is mostly drained by the Poplar River and its Middle, East, and West Forks. Tributaries of Big Muddy Creek drain the easternmost areas. The Fort Peck Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Sioux people, includes about one-sixth of Daniels County along its southern border.

In the year 2000, Daniels County was designated the most rural county in the continental United States. The county has a current population of 1,755 (less than half what it was in 1950) and only one K-12 school, located in Scobey, the county seat. Though most of the land in Daniels County is privately owned, the Montana Department of Natural Resources owns about one-fourth of the county.

Much of the land in Daniels County is cultivated. The growing season averages 90 to 110 days a year; precipitation averages between 10 and 13 inches per year. The most common crops harvested are durum and spring wheat, followed by pulse crops, canola, winter wheat, and flax. Forage crops are grown to support cattle and sheep operations. The NRCS office, located in Scobey, 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 Daniels County Landowners​

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.

Find Your Local Service Center

USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.

Additional Information