Dawson County in central eastern Montana has an area of 2,383.5 square miles and a population of 8,966. Most of the residents of the county live in the city of Glendive. Richey, Montana, population 187, is the only other incorporated community in the county and has the only other high school. The Yellowstone River runs southwest to northeast across the southern half of the county; the Redwater River flows in the same direction through the far north end. Landcover types in the county are approximately 52 percent grassland and 28 percent cultivated crops with smaller areas of badlands, riparian zones, sagebrush steppe, woody draws and introduced vegetation.
Organized in 1869, Dawson County was the tenth state-organized county in the Montana Territory. Railroad development, conflicts due to encroachment upon Sioux tribal hunting grounds, large cattle drives, homesteading and irrigation have all played important roles in the area's history.
Today, most of the land in Dawson County is privately owned and is dedicated to agriculture. The majority of cropland is used to grow wheat, followed by forage, lentils, corn for grain, sugar beets, and barley grain. Cattle and sheep operations are also important. The NRCS office, located in Glendive, 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 Dawson County Landowners
- Can You Dig It: Cropland Reseeding Part 1 Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP) Western Dawson County
- Can You Dig It: Cropland Reseeding Part 2 Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP) Northern Dawson County
- Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative
- Removal of Windmills: Improving Water Supply for Livestock & Enhancing Habitat for Prairie Birds - North TIP
- Sage Grouse Initiative
- Deferred Grazing Drought Recovery TIP
- Dawson County Yellowstone River Irrigators Sediment Transport & Nutrient Loss 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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