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Abandoned homestead on the prairie, Valley County, Montana

Valley County

Valley County in the northeastern part of Montana has a total area of 5,062 square miles and a population of 7,437. The county borders Canada on the north, and Fort Peck Reservoir and the Fort Peck Dam form the southern county boundary. The Milk River and Porcupine Creek flow into the Missouri River downstream from the dam. The Fort Peck Indian Reservation encompasses much of the eastern portion of the county. The city of Glasgow is the county seat and incorporated towns include Fort Peck, Nashua, and Opheim.

Valley County is primarily rural with most of the land use devoted to agriculture. Land ownership is both public (65 percent) and private (35 percent). The major economy of the county is agriculture, including small grains, cattle, pulse crops, and hay. Native rangeland and planted pastures provide forage for livestock. The NRCS office, located in Glasgow, 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 Valley 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. Visit or call your local USDA Service Center, for more information on these and other programs, or see State Programs and Initiatives on the NRCS Montana webpage.

Valley 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.

Valley County Long Range Plan 2020 (3.67 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

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.

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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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