The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) emphasizes voluntary, science-based assistance to help landowners and managers improve their natural resources. NRCS conservationists work through the conservation planning process to help landowners identify problems and opportunities, develop alternatives, implement solutions, and monitor progress toward their goals. In addition, NRCS may provide assistance through conservation programs.
The videos below highlight several Montana landowners' experiences in working with NRCS. Watch below.
Conservation for the Future: Berg Ranch, Lennep, MT
The Berg Ranch has worked with NRCS to implement fuels reduction practices on their lands in the Castle Mountains. The Forest Service is also working to reduce fuel loads in the area. Cross-boundary projects like this help to reduce wildfire risk, improve forage for wildlife and livestock, and support a community approach to conservation.
Conservation for the Future: Burgess Ranch, Jordan, MT
The Burgess family has transitioned fully to a livestock operation. They have planted all of their cropland to a grass/forb mix, are using electric fencing, and intensive grazing. NRCS has provided both technical and financial assistance with this change including seed mix recommendations, a pollinator planting, livestock water, etc. Dom and his father tell about why and how they made the change.
Conservation for the Future: David Lyons, Ennis, MT
David Lyons worked extensively with NRCS and the Madison Conservation District to address a stretch of Moore Creek that had been straightened in the 1950s. Through a partnership effort, the stream was restored to a more natural state, addressing flooding and water quality concerns on both David's property and downstream to the city of Ennis.
Conservation for the Future: Fuels Reduction Projects, Jefferson County, MT
Two landowners in Jefferson County are highlighted as they participated in the Capital 360 Joint Chiefs' project that helps to bridge the public-private land boundaries when completing forest management practices that decrease potential fuel loads and improve public safety. Both properties were classified as high risk fire areas due to limited access and the amount of infrastructure located within the overgrown forest.
Conservation for the Future: Hayden Ranch, Baker, MT
The Hayden family operates the ranch south of Baker and has been implementing the 5 soil health principles of maximizing soil cover, minimizing disturbance, maximizing diversity, maximizing living roots, and integrating livestock.
Conservation for the Future: Korey and Wendy Fauque, Sunburst, MT
The Fauques farm and have whole-heartedly adopted soil health principles on cropland and with their cattle grazing. They continually advocate for diversification of crops grown and are willing to “try” things and adapt them to this area. Korey and Wendy have adopted bale grazing and are ever increasing grazing rotation intensities and e-fence move times. They host producer tours of some of the things that they try to help bring others along in the soil health endeavor.
Conservation for the Future: Linker Family, Coffee Creek, MT
The Linkers, Dave, Pam, Brock, and family, have been some of the first producers in Fergus County to fully begin adapting the five soil health principles of soil armor, minimizing soil disturbance, plant diversity, continual living plants, and livestock integration for their operation. The first thing they did was to switch to a disc drill and add a stripper header for harvesting. These two practices combined leave more undisturbed residue on the fields, traps more snow, reduces fuel use, speeds up harvest, and benefits wildlife giving them a feeding area that provides protection.
The NRCS snow survey program collects and makes available data on mountain snow pack, snow water equivalent, potential stream flows, and more. This information supports water management decisions, helps irrigators prepare for the coming season, and lets recreationists monitor snow and stream conditions.
Conservation for the Future: Ray Banister, Wibaux, MT
Ray Banister ranches south of Wibaux, MT. He has practicing "boom and bust" grazing management for more than 30 years on his ranch and has seen the impacts of the management style over time on soil health, plant health and productivity, and animal health and performance. NRCS has recently set up a site to conduct soil dynamic properties studies.
Conservation for the Future: Reid and Ellie Fleshman, Dutton, MT
Reid and Ellie are beginning farmers that dryland farm east of Dutton. They have a Conservation Stewardship Program contract and through that relationship, the local NRCS office made them aware of the high tunnel and pollinator opportunities available. They are very interested in growing their own food, especially as Dutton no longer has a grocery store.
Conservation for the Future: Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project, Billings and Custer, MT
Two families describe the work they have done through the Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project (RCPP) aimed at improving irrigation efficiencies in the Yellowstone River valley in Big Horn, Yellowstone, and Carbon counties. Irrigation system changes are also used to promote and facilitate practices including no-till or reduced till and cover crops. NRCS's main partner in this project is Molson Coors, but many other organizations have contributed to the success of the project.
