Meagher County in central Montana includes parts of several mountain ranges in the Rocky Mountains and valleys between the ranges. The county is bounded on the west by the divide of the Big Belt Mountains and on the north and northeast by the Little Belt Mountains. The Castle Mountains lie wholly within the county in the central portion and part of the Crazy Mountains lie in the southwest corner. The Smith River, Sixteenmile Creek, and the Musselshell River drain most of the county and flow eventually to the Missouri river. The Shields River and its tributaries, which drain a small part of the south eastern end of the county flow to the Yellowstone River. Meagher county is 2,391 square miles, 40 percent of which is forest land, and averages 0.8 people per square mile (Headwaters Economics). The last of the lumber mills closed in the early '80s, but recreation and tourism continue to grow in the county.
Agriculture has always been a critical part of Meagher County's economy. Hay is grown on most farms and small grains are typically used in the hay rotation. Most farms produce beef cattle. The NRCS office, located in White Sulphur Springs, 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 Meagher County Landowners
- Rooting for Soil Health Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Improving Grazing Land Health in the Smith River Valley Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Castle Mountains Forest Health and Fuels Reduction Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Improving Grazing Land Health in the Smith River Valley Phase II 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
Meagher County Local Working Group
Local working group meetings are held 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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