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Grass-covered rangeland and wooded valleys in Fergus County, Montana

Fergus County

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​

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.

Fergus County Long Range Plan

NRCS in Montana uses a Focused Conservation strategy to address priority natural resource concerns across the state using Targeted Implementation Plans. It all begins with a long range plan. Each local NRCS field office develops a long range plan with input from landowners, partners, land managers, and others to identify and prioritize natural resource concerns in the county. Based on those plans, NRCS works with stakeholders to determine what conservation practices will be needed to address the resource concerns. Long range plans are updated to reflect the changing needs and objectives of the county’s natural resources.

Fergus County Long Range Plan 2020 (1.08 MB)

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.

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.

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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.

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What'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.

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Montana Programs and Application Dates

Program applications are accepted on a continual basis, however, NRCS establishes application dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. Applications received after the date will be automatically deferred to the next funding period.

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