Governor proclaims September Bear Aware Month

Educational activities planned around state

HELENA – As grizzly bear populations and distribution increase across Montana, it’s more important than ever to be bear aware. Currently, grizzly bears can be found in all of Montana west of Billings. To encourage residents and nonresidents to be vigilant about the presence of bears, Gov. Greg Gianforte proclaimed September as Bear Aware Month, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host several education events and opportunities that will feature fun activities, prizes and giveaways, such as stickers and can koozies.

These events include:

• Aug. 31 and Sept. 14, Columbia Falls Community Market
• Sept. 5, Great Falls, FWP Region 4 Office
• Sept. 7, Missoula, FWP Region 2 Office
• Sept. 7, Billings, FWP Region 5 Office
• Sept. 7, Miles City, FWP Region 7 Office
• Sept. 11, Bozeman, FWP Region 3 Office
• Sept. 26, Helena, Montana WILD
• Sept. 27, Butte, Montana Tech

For more details about these and other events and activities, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.

Grizzly bear numbers continue to increase, and grizzlies are becoming more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year. Bears also become more active in late summer and fall as they spend more time eating in preparation for hibernation.

There are four grizzly recovery zones partially or completely within Montana:

• The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (in parts of southwestern Montana, northwestern Wyoming and eastern
• The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (in northwestern Montana) grizzly bear population has increased from approximately <400 bears in 1975 to approximately 1,100 and has reached population recovery goals.
• The Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem (in portions of northwestern Montana and northern Idaho)
• The Bitterroot Ecosystem (in western Montana and northern Idaho).

In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which covers parts of southwestern Montana, northwestern Wyoming and eastern Idaho, the grizzly bear population has increased from fewer than 200 bears in 1980 to approximately 1,000 and has reached population recovery goals. In the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, grizzly bear population has increased from fewer than 400 bears in 1975 to approximately 1,100 and has reached population recovery goals. The Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem, with an estimated 55 bears, and the Bitterroot Ecosystem, with no known bears, have not yet met population recovery goals.

“Grizzly bear recovery in the Greater Yellowstone Area and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem is a major conservation success story,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “Working with the public and landowners to avoid conflict is a top priority and an critical part of bear management in Montana.”

Grizzly bears in the lower 48 states are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Management authority for grizzlies rests with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, working closely in Montana with FWP, the Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Services and Native American tribes. This collaboration happens through the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

Avoiding conflicts with bears is easier than dealing with such conflicts. Here are some precautions to help residents, recreationists and people who work outdoors avoid negative bear encounters:

• Keep garbage, bird feeders, pet food and other attractants put away in a secure building or certified bear-resistant container. Keep garbage in a secure building until the day it is collected. Certified bear-resistant garbage containers are available in many areas.
• Never feed wildlife. Bears that become food conditioned lose their natural foraging behavior and pose threats to human safety. It is illegal to feed bears in Montana.
• Carry bear spray and be prepared to use it immediately.
• Travel in groups whenever possible and make casual noise, which can help alert bears to your presence.
• Stay away from animal carcasses, which often attract bears.
• Follow food storage orders from the applicable land management agency.
• If you encounter a bear, never approach it. Leave the area when it is safe to do so.

For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.

Ruminating on Grazing: Lessons from Montana Ranchers

Hosted by the Upper Musselshell Conservation District

Tuesday, September 12th, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

The Barnsion, 402 S River Dr, Harlowton, MT 59036

Hear from experienced and passionate Graziers such as Cooper Hibbard,Allison Cooley-Agee, and Craig and Tyler French.

The event is $20 and open to everyone. Lunch, refreshments, and note-taking supplies are provided. Pre-register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ruminating-on-grazing-lessons-from-montana-ranchers-tickets-667728322387

For more info, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ruminating-on-grazing-lessons-from-montana-ranchers-tickets-667728322387,visit us at the Harlowton USDA Service Center, or call Leah @406-632-5534 ext 101

Join us for the September Meeting of the Stakeholder Working Group

The second meeting of the 2023-24 Stakeholder Working Group (SWG) will take place in Helena. Join us in person or online.

Meeting Details:

September 12, 2023: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Montana Room, DNRC Headquarters & Zoom

Remote meeting registration

Meeting Agenda

Comprehensive Water Review Website

Meeting Objectives

• Review updated Framing Questions
• Build shared knowledge and understanding on exempt wells
• Identify values and challenges surrounding the use of exempt wells — public invited to participate
• Develop an initial framework for discussion around exempt wells
• Provide update from the Final Decree Transition sub-working group
• Discuss and clarify informational needs
• Build/strengthen working relationships
• Gather SWG input and guidance on priorities and next steps

August Meeting Recap

The August meeting was an energizing and productive kickoff for the work ahead. On Day 1, the group covered introductions and logistics. In the afternoon, SWG members updated the Framing Questions and received an update on HB 114 implementation. Day 2 was focused on Final Decree Transition. DNRC staff and several returning working group members led a discussion about what worked and what didn’t with SB 72, and the SWG set forth next steps for the Final Decree Transition sub-working group.

Want to catch up on August meeting in more detail? The meeting documents, recordings, and a time-stamped agenda are available on the Comprehensive Water Review Website.

Planning to attend SWG meetings throughout the biennium? Be sure to update your calendar with the finalized meeting schedule.

As the sub-working groups dive into their efforts, links to meeting information and materials will be posted on each group’s respective webpage:
Final Decree Transition
Exempt Wells, Water Planning, and Growth
Water Measurement

Additional WOTUS webinars announced Sept 13 and 20

On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army (“the agencies”) issued a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies also announced a public webinar providing an overview of the final rule on September 12, 2023, which swiftly reached registration capacity.

This message is to announce the agencies will host two additional webinars on September 13 and September 20, 2023. Each webinar will present the same information, so please do not sign up for more than one webinar. When these webinars reach capacity, registration will be closed. However, the agencies post a recording of the webinar to EPA’s website at https://www.epa.gov/wotus.

• Register for the September 13, 2023 (1pm-2pm Eastern) public webinar.
• Register for the September 20, 2023 (3pm-4pm Eastern) public webinar.

8th Annual Ranches, Farms, and Agribusiness in Montana & Beyond

Helena, MT | September 13 & 14, 2023

Available In Person, Live Webcast, or On Demand

Understanding the unique issues when purchasing agricultural assets in Montana can help buyers, sellers, lenders, attorneys, and consultants to troubleshoot purchases of agricultural assets. We have carefully selected faculty to provide insight into those issues most commonly faced, including: public access, environmental issues, water rights, due diligence problems, financing, and succession planning. Anyone involved in the buying and selling of agricultural properties in Montana would be well served to attend and catch up on the latest in agricultural assets in Montana.

LOCATION

Visit The Seminar Group website to learn more and register.

Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) Announces Annual Pesticide Waste Collection Events

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture is facilitating pesticide disposal events in its Western District (Kalispell, Hamilton, Helena, Three Forks) during the week of September 18^th, 2023. Annual pesticide waste collection events have collected close to 780,000 pounds of pesticide waste from over 1,800 participants since the program’s inception in 1994.

“Montana has very limited options to get rid of pesticide products,” said Carli Davis of the MDA’s Pesticide Disposal and Container Recycling Programs. “This program is one way of assuring the waste product is properly disposed in a manner that is also environmentally friendly.”

The MDA program was designed to assist individuals with disposing of any pesticides that are unusable as originally intended, or cannot be used for any other purpose, in an environmentally responsible way. In effect, the Pesticide and Waste Disposal Program protects Montana’s ecosystems and groundwater, as well as families, pets, livestock and drinking water from potentially hazardous materials.

2023 Pesticide Waste Collection Dates and Locations:

• Tuesday, September 19^th – Kalispell, MT
• Wednesday, September 20^th – Hamilton, MT
• Thursday, September 21^st – Helena, MT
• Friday, September 22^nd – Three Forks, MT

The pre-registration deadline is September 14^th, 2023. Registrations for pesticide waste collection events are accepted on a first come, first-serve basis. There is no charge for the first 200 pounds of material; amounts over 200 pounds are assessed at $1.00 per pound, and products are weighed on site. Additional fees may apply to pesticides with dioxins or dioxin precursors.

Please visit the Montana Waste Pesticide Disposal Program page or click HERE to register. For more information, please visit agr.mt.gov/Pesticide-Waste-Disposal-Program or contact Carli Davis at (406) 465-0531.

Montana Board of Livestock Meeting 

The next Montana Board of Livestock meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm in the Montana Department of Livestock Conference Room #319, Scott Hart Building, 301 N. Roberts, Helena, MT. The public is welcome to attend this meeting in person, but attendance will also be available virtually by Zoom. Please note that the meeting will be live streamed on the BOL website.

The agenda will be posted to the Department of Livestock website at liv.mt.gov soon. For instructions on how to join the meeting virtually or, if you would like a printed copy of the agenda, please call 406-444-9321 or email at [email protected].

Conservation Awareness Webinar Series

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents America’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts. NACD champions a voluntary, locally-led approach to conservation practiced by conservation districts as they provide technical and financial assistance to millions of cooperating private landowners and operators nationwide. NACD and conservation districts are reaching out to facilitate partnerships with historically underserved communities to ensure all producers are aware of available programs and resources.

Join NACD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for an informative two-part webinar series that will introduce both organizations, their programs, and resources to assist producers in getting conservation on the ground.

Webinar 1: Challenges and Opportunities in Conservation: Testimonies to Enhance and Grow

September 21, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Collaboration and partnerships among government, local communities, and stakeholders enhance conservation efforts by sharing resources, expertise, and knowledge. This leads to a more effective and comprehensive community conservation strategy. Come learn about your partners in conservation and hear testimonies about how these relationships have helped producers succeed in their farming operations.

Register for the September 21 webinar, here.

Webinar 2: Results and Recommendations in Conservation: Proven Strategies to Overcome Obstacles

October 5, 2023 | 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Learn about proven strategies to overcome getting conservation on the ground. This webinar will cover:

Conservation Finance
Developing innovative funding mechanisms such as ecotourism, carbon credit, and public-private partnerships

Conservation Technology
What’s over the horizon and challenges working as a partner and with clients

Successful Partnerships

• How partners have overcome challenges
• Managing client expectations
• Partnering with a partner, what works
• Successful documentation for partners

Register for the October 5 webinar, here.

Additional Resource

NACD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently hosted an informative session on FSA programs and eligibility.

If you missed the session or want to re-watch it or share it with a colleague, you can view the recording here on NACD’s YouTube Channel.

Questions? Contact Dr. Loutrina Staley, NACD Equity and Outreach Program Analyst, at [email protected].

Trapper education field day set for September 30 in Billings

Certification required to purchase Class C Trapping License

BILLINGS – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a trapper education field day in Billings on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the FWP office located at 2300 Lake Elmo Drive.

Students must register for the field day in advance at: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/trapping. Capacity is limited to 35 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must also complete the free online education course prior to the field day.

To purchase a Montana resident Class C Trapping License, residents 12 and older must complete a Montana trapper education course or have purchased a trapping license in at least three prior years in Montana or another state. This general trapper education course also satisfies the requirement for wolf trapping.

Montana resident wolf trappers who have taken a wolf trapper education course but haven’t been a licensed trapper for three years will need to complete the full trapper education course to be able to trap wolves in 2023 and beyond.

Montana’s trapper education program includes online coursework, a mandatory in-person field day taught by volunteer instructors and a written test. Trapper education courses cover basic information and skills related to the safe handling of traps and trapping equipment as well as basic instruction in wildlife management, game identification, trapper ethics and Montana trapping laws and regulations.

Other trapper education field days will be offered in other communities around the state. For more information and to register, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/trapping.

Interested in becoming a trapper education instructor?

Visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/education/volunteer-instructors for application information.

FWP accepting applications from landowners for Block Management

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications from landowners who are interested in participating in the 2023 Block Management Program. Block Management is a cooperative effort between landowners and FWP to help manage wildlife and public hunting activities on enrolled lands.

Through the Block Management program, landowners and FWP enter into voluntary agreements that determine how hunting will be conducted on the landowner’s property. Items such as permission requirements, times when permission will be granted, hunting opportunities provided and vehicle use are a few examples of what is covered in an agreement.

Block Management offers various benefits to landowners enrolled in the program. These benefits include assistance of FWP staff to help monitor hunting activities, compensation to help offset impacts associated with allowing public hunting, wildlife management, a free subscription to Montana Outdoors and a complimentary, non-transferable sportsman or big game combination (non-resident) license. Landowners do not relinquish any rights by enrolling and are covered by Montana’s recreational liability statute as well as livestock loss reimbursement, both of which are extended to landowners who allow access at no charge.

For more information or to receive an application packet, interested landowners can contact their local biologist, warden or FWP regional access manager or contact the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division main office at 406-444-3750 or email [email protected] .

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $266 Million to Help Rural Business Owners, Farmers and Ranchers Lower Energy Costs, Generate Income, and Expand Operations, as Part of Investing in America Agenda

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is awarding $266 million in loans and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operation. This funding is made possible in part by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combatting the climate crisis.

“Creating opportunity for rural communities means investing in farmers, ranchers, and small businesses,” Secretary Vilsack said. “A key pillar of Bidenomics, President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is ensuring our producers and business owners are not only a part of the clean energy economy but are directly benefitting from it. These once-in-a-generation investments in renewable energy, like wind and solar, and energy efficient technologies create new markets and deliver real cost savings for our small and mid-sized agricultural operations and Main Street businesses, building and keeping wealth in rural America.”

USDA is investing $266 million in 1,334 renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects in 47 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. The Department is awarding the loans and grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), including funding from the landmark Inflation Reduction Act.

Since December 2022, USDA has made up to $1.3 billion available in REAP funding through the Inflation Reduction Act. Eligible applicants include rural small business owners and agricultural producers. The program is part of the Justice40 Initiative, which is working to ensure that 40 percent of the benefits of certain federal investments reach communities that are marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.

The funding announced today is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, a key pillar of Bidenomics, to grow the American economy from the middle-out and bottom up – from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to driving over $500 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating good-paying jobs and building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

For example:

• Verde Light Community Solar LLC in Ontario, Oregon will use a $1 million grant to purchase and install a 4.51-megawatt solar photovoltaic renewable energy system. The new system will produce enough energy to power 440 homes per year and is expected to generate $557,000 in income annually for the company.
• D & M Farm Ventures LLC, a chicken broiler operation in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, will use a $130,500 grant to purchase and install a 198-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system. This project is expected to generate approximately $10,800 per year.
• Leonard Road Thorndike Solar LLC in Thorndike, Maine will use a $1 million grant to install a 1.58-megawatt solar array expected to offset over 950,700 pounds of coal, reducing carbon emissions by 859 metric tons annually. This project will also help the business generate nearly $358,000 annually.

USDA is making awards in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Guam and Puerto Rico.

The Department expects to make additional awards in the coming months.

USDA continues to accept applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes $144.5 million for underutilized renewable energy technologies. For additional information on application deadlines and submission details, see page 19239 of the March 31 Federal Register.

Background: Inflation Reduction Act

As a core pillar of Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Inflation Reduction Act makes the largest investment in climate action in history and is lowering energy costs, bringing opportunity to communities across America and tackling the climate crisis through investments in agriculture, forest restoration, and rural communities.

The Biden-Harris Administration championed the Inflation Reduction Act to help provide new funding and unprecedented incentives to expand clean energy, transform rural power production, create jobs and spur economic growth. It is the largest single investment in rural electrification since the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Administration is delivering on its promise to fight climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across America.

It provides funding to USDA Rural Development to help eligible organizations invest in renewable energy infrastructure and zero-emission systems and make energy-efficiency improvements that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It will boost the long-term resiliency, reliability and affordability of rural electric systems. It will help families save money on utility bills, and it will expand rural opportunities in the clean- energy economy.

For more information on the Inflation Reduction Act, visit: www.rd.usda.gov/inflation-reduction-act.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit GovDelivery subscriber page.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Growth Through Agriculture Grant & Loan Program Requesting Proposals

GTA Pre-Application Submission Deadline is Monday, October 23, 2023

Helena, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is announcing the opening of the FY2024 funding cycle for the Growth ThroughAgriculture (GTA) Program. Montanans interested in innovating or expanding agricultural businesses are invited to apply for funds through the state grant and loan program.

“The Growth Through Agriculture program continues to help Montana businesses and agricultural operations add value, scale up, and access new markets,” said MDA Director Christy Clark. “I encourage producers, business owners, and those with innovative ideas for value-added projects to apply so as a state we can continue to elevate our agricultural ecosystem and economy.”

The Growth Through Agriculture program was established by the legislature to strengthen and diversify Montana’s agriculture industry by developing new agricultural products and processes. GTA grants and loans are awarded by the Agriculture Development Council, consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor. GTA funding requires the investment of at least $1 in matching funds for every $1 in grant or loan assistance received.

Pre-applications for funding open October 2, 2023, and are due October 23, 2023. Selected proposals from pre-applicants will be invited to submit a full application in January of 2024, followed by grant award decisions in February. Information on submitting a pre-application, program guidelines, FAQs, and previously funded projects can be viewed online at agr.mt.gov/GTA. Applicants may apply for grants up to $50,000 and loans up to $100,000. Examples of eligible project activities include equipment purchases, construction costs, advertising and promotion, and consultant services.

Those needing application assistance are encouraged to contact their local Food and Agricultural Development Center at agr.mt.gov/Food-and-Ag-Development-Centers.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.

NRCS Sets Conservation Program Funding Application Date for October 27, 2023

BOZEMAN, Mont., August 21, 2023 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). To be considered for funding in the current cycle, producers and landowners should apply by October 27, 2023.

“NRCS provides funding and technical assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners implement conservation practices that improve their environmental and economic sustainability,” said Tom Watson, NRCS State Conservationist for Montana. “Conservation work focused on local outcomes with the support of local partners and land managers achieves meaningful conservation across a landscape. These opportunities are open to ag operations of any scale.”

Conservation funding is available for the following programs and initiatives:

• Community Agriculture: Building on the high tunnel initiative available in the past, the community agriculture initiative offers an expanded set of conservation practices tailored to the conservation needs of small-scale ag producers.
• Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Projects: The U.S. Forest Service and NRCS are working together to improve the health of forests and reduce wildfire threats to communities where public forests and grasslands connect to privately owned lands. There are currently five projects in Montana, including the Connecting Fuels Treatments in the Salish Mountains and Whitefish Range Project, Elkhorn Cooperative Management Area, Fire Adapted Bitterroot Project, Gallatin Valley Forest Resiliency and Watershed Health Project, and the Libby Surround Project.
• Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative: This initiative is focused on unmanipulated wetlands of two acres or less within working cropland as identified on the National Wetland Inventory. It is aimed at preserving, protecting, and improving habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, neotropicals, and other avian species in the Prairie Pothole Region.
• National On-Farm Energy Initiative: Agricultural producers work with NRCS-approved technical service providers to develop agricultural energy management plans or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS may also provide assistance to implement recommended measures identified in the energy audit through the use of conservation practice standards.
• National Organic Initiative: Producers currently certified as organic, transitioning to organic, or National Organic Program exempt will have access to a broad set of conservation practices to assist in treating their resource concerns while fulfilling many of the requirements in an Organic System Plan.
• National Water Quality Initiative: This initiative focuses assistance in small watersheds to improve water quality where this is a critical concern. With the help of partners at the local, state, and national levels, NRCS identified priority watersheds in Montana where on-farm conservation investments will deliver the greatest water quality benefits. The two projects in Montana are in the Lower Gallatin watershed (Camp and Godfrey Creeks) and the Shields River watershed.
• Sage Grouse Initiative:  Producers can work with NRCS on three different components to improve sage-grouse habitat. One is a general category to implement prescribed grazing management practices. The others are to seed cropland back to perennial species to improve the connectivity for sage-grouse that depend on large, intact landscapes and the removal of conifers to increase nest success rates.
• Targeted Implementation Plans: Montana NRCS targets its investments in very specific areas to achieve clearly defined natural resource goals as identified by local partners. This approach harnesses the power of multiple producers in one area undertaking similar conservation projects to achieve a regional or landscape-scale result. There are more than 100 local projects currently available in fiscal year 2024.
• Conservation Incentive Contracts: Conservation Incentive Contracts are an option under EQIP, with a focus on climate-smart forestry and agriculture and drought resilience management practices. EQIP-CIC provides financial assistance to adopt conservation activities on working landscapes.
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program: The RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Currently, there are RCPP land management projects in Montana and easement-based projects, including Northern Great Plains Grassland Conservation Project, and the Gallatin Valley Land Trust project, Bitterroot Conservation Connectivity Project, Flint Creek Valley Conservation Partnership Project.
• Wetland Reserve Easements: Part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, WREs help private and tribal landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses. These easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity, provide resilience to climate change, and provide opportunities for educational, scientific, and limited recreational activities.

EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to eligible participants to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. In Montana, historically underserved participants, including limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers will receive a higher payment rate for eligible conservation practices applied.

The CSP is for working lands. For farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, CSP can help find new ways to meet resource and operation goals. All the land in a producer’s agricultural operation must be enrolled to be eligible for CSP. In addition to applying by October 27, 2023, new proposed activities must be selected by January 26, 2024, so the field office conservation planner can complete assessment and ranking of applications.

Producers willing to focus their CSP conservation efforts on solutions which promote climate-related benefits are encouraged to select activities from the Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities List. Climate smart activities directly improve soil carbon, reduce nitrogen losses, or reduce capture, avoid or sequester carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide emissions associated with agricultural production.

NRCS accepts conservation program applications year-round; however, applications for the next funding consideration must be submitted by October 27, 2023. Applications made after that date will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information is available on the Montana NRCS website. Visit www.mt.nrcs.usda.govand scroll down to State Programs and Initiatives. Or contact your local USDA service center.

Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant Applications Now Available

Applications are due by Saturday, January 6, 2023

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Noxious Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Program.

Established by the 1985 Montana Legislature, the Noxious Weed Trust Fund provides funding for noxious weed research projects, development projects, state and community education, and on-the-ground management through a landowner cost share.

Applicants may apply for funding up to $75,000 per project. Applications are due Saturday, January 6, 2024.

To learn more about NWTF opportunities, please visit the Noxious Weed Trust Fund website at agr.mt.gov/NoxiousWeedTrustFund or contact Greta Dige, NWTF Program Coordinator, at 444-7882 or [email protected].

To apply, please visit: funding.mt.gov/.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is serving Montana Agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky. For more information on department programs and services, visit agr.mt.gov.

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers in Seven South Central Montana Counties Affected by Excessive Rain and Flood Natural Disasters

Physical loss loans through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help producers repair or replace damaged or destroyed physical property essential to the success of the agricultural operation, including livestock losses. Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

Impacted Area: Montana

Triggering Disaster: Excessive Rain and Flood

Application Deadline: 2/23/2024

Primary Counties Eligible: Golden Valley

Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:
Montana: Fergus, Musselshell, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Wheatland and Yellowstone

More Resources
On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local  USDA Service Center.

USDA Announces Availability of Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans for Producers in Nine South Eastern Montana Counties Affected by Excessive Rain and Flood Natural Disasters

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Montana Small Businesses

USDA Previews Emergency Relief Assistance for Agricultural Producers Who Incurred Losses Due to 2022 Natural Disaster Events

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2023 —  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar year 2022. USDA is sharing early information to allow producers time to gather documents in advance of program delivery. Through distribution of remaining funds, USDA is also concluding the 2021 ELRP program by sending payments in the amount of 20% of the initial ELRP payment to all existing recipients.

“U.S. agricultural producers nationwide endured crippling natural disaster events in 2022 including a megadrought, Hurricane Ian, epic flooding and catastrophic wildfires. To say these events were costly is an understatement,” Vilsack said. “Last year USDA streamlined the delivery of natural disaster assistance, speeding up the timing of payments and cutting the time spent on paperwork by 90% or one million hours relative to the previous disaster programs. While we will use the same streamlined approaches, funding is limited and significantly less than the estimated losses. We are designing payment factors that ensure the fair, equitable and efficient delivery of program benefits to help as many producers as possible offset the significant financial impacts resulting from these ongoing and widespread natural disasters.”

Background

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) that provides about $3.7 billion in financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms and other eligible disasters occurring in calendar year 2022.

Additionally, the Act specifically targets up to about $500 million to livestock producers for losses incurred due to drought or wildfire in calendar year 2022.

ERP 2022 for Crop Producers

USDA, through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), intends to deploy the lessons learned from the development and implementation of ERP and ELRP for previous years’ losses to ensure expedited assistance for 2022 losses.

Based on positive feedback from producers, stakeholder groups and FSA county office staff, USDA intends to provide an ERP track for producers who had coverage through Risk Management Agency’s federal crop insurance or FSA’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). Through a streamlined application process, USDA intends to be in a position to send pre-filled applications directly to eligible producers in early summer.

For producers who have not been able to avail themselves of risk management coverage or whose losses were not covered, USDA intends to offer a program track to access ERP assistance with assistance provided to producers who suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue in 2022 due to necessary expenses related to losses of eligible crops from a qualifying natural disaster event.

Instead of implementing these program tracks as two separate phases on different timelines, FSA intends to make both tracks available to producers at the same time, noting that the first track will follow a streamlined process with less paperwork burden, based on existing, available risk management data. The second ERP track would require that producers provide FSA with certain information related to revenue.

ELRP 2022 for Livestock Producers and Close Out of ELRP for 2021

For impacted ranchers, USDA intends to leverage FSA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) data to deliver ELRP assistance for increases in supplemental feed costs in 2022.

To be eligible for an ELRP payment for 2022 losses, livestock producers will need to have suffered grazing losses from wildfire or in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or a D3 (extreme drought) or higher level of drought intensity during the 2022 calendar year and have applied and been approved for 2022 LFP. Additionally, otherwise eligible producers whose permitted grazing on federally managed lands was disallowed due to wildfire will also be eligible for ELRP payments if they applied and were approved for 2022 LFP.

In a continued effort to streamline and simplify the delivery of ELRP benefits, eligible producers will not be required to apply for payment.

Meanwhile, FSA also intends to provide additional assistance to ranchers for qualifying livestock losses from drought and wildfire in 2021. More information will be announced in the coming months.

How Producers Can Prepare

To participate in ERP and ELRP for 2022 losses, both crop and livestock producers should have or be prepared to have the following forms on file with FSA:

• Form AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet (as applicable to the program participant);
• Form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan for an individual or legal entity;
• Form CCC-901, Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable); and
• Form AD-1026 Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification.

Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms on file. However, those who are uncertain or want to confirm should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center.

In addition to the forms listed above, underserved producers are encouraged to register their status with FSA, using Form CCC-860, Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, as certain existing permanent and ad-hoc disaster programs provide increased benefits or reduced fees and premiums.

Producers with eligible crop losses who did not have federal crop insurance or NAP risk management coverage for 2022 and intend to apply for ERP assistance will need to pull together revenue information that is readily available from most tax records. FSA encourages producers to have their tax documents from the past few years and supporting materials ready including Schedule F (Form 1040) and Profit or Loss from Farming or similar tax documents. FSA will not require these forms to be submitted with the ERP application, but will require a certification, similar to Adjusted Gross Income certification that has been used for many years for Farm Bill programs. Applicants simply report and certify to the information required for the program.

Crop producers who have federal crop insurance coverage should ensure that information on file with their insurance agent is accurate and that any pending activities needed to file loss claims for 2022 losses are addressed as soon as possible. Producers who received ERP assistance last year or who will receive assistance for 2022 losses are required to purchase crop insurance or NAP for the next two crop years.

More Information 

In the coming months, USDA intends to provide additional information on how to apply for assistance through ERP and ELRP for 2022 losses. Through proactive communications and outreach, USDA will keep producers and stakeholders informed as program eligibility, application and implementation details unfold.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

The Montana Master Hunter Program provides advanced hunter education that increases skills, competence, ethical behavior, and knowledge of agriculture and stewardship.

One Montana (1MT) launched the Master Hunter Program to help the State of Montana and private landowners improve wildlife management efforts by restoring the cooperation between hunters, private landowners, and game managers.

Find more info at www.mtmasterhunter.com

Comprehensive Water Review

Dedicated website is live now!

A website dedicated to the Comprehensive Water Review has been launched. The site details each of the identified key challenges and provides a single place for the public to learn more about upcoming events, find information, receive updates, and submit comments or questions.

Montana Rural Employment Opportunities

Because REO believes that everyone should have the opportunity for economic independence,

Rural Employment Opportunities (REO) provides outreach and services in all of Montana’s 56 counties to more than 400 adults and 900 children each year as they struggle to support themselves and their families. Through REO, Montana’s agricultural workers have access to educational programs to complete their high school credentials, children’s educational programs,  job training, and college certificates or degrees.  These opportunities lead to full-time employment, improved family income, and greater economic security.

Supporting Montana Agricultural Families

REO supports agricultural workers and their families with:

• Job search, placement and growth.
• Employment security and wage advancement.
• Funding for tuition, books and other related training costs

REO is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program and abides by all federal and state EOC regulations and laws.  Equal Opportunity is the law.  Program financed 100% with federal funds of $699,452 with 0% nongovernmental funds.

REO has operated this federal Department of Labor grant for over 30 years, serving farmworkers and their families across the state of Montana.  Through this grant, REO offers opportunities for farm workers, and/or their qualifying family members, to improve their earning capacity in agriculture or other career paths through education and training. REO staff members work closely with participants, helping them determine the best way to reach their educational and employment goals. The goal of the program is economic self-sufficiency and wages that allow workers to support and sustain their families.

Participants may choose to attend a vocational, technical, or trade school for short-term job training, work-related certification programs, college courses, or participate in an on-the-job training program or apprenticeship program. They may also work with REO for direct placement into the workforce. In addition, REO is able to support each participant with needed items for training or new employment such as tuition assistance, books, laptops, fuel vouchers, work clothing, and/or tools to help reach their goals.

We have updated our website at www.reomontana.org.  On Facebook, we have pages for “Rural Employment Opportunities”, “REO Southwest Montana”, “REO Northwest & North Central Montana”, and “REO Eastern Montana”.

USDA Working with Cooperative Development Centers to Expand Economic Opportunities for Rural Montanans

BOZEMAN, Mont., April 6, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the department is accepting applications through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant (RCDG)program to help Cooperative Development Centers improve the economic condition of rural areas by assisting individuals and businesses in the startup, expansion, or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other mutually-owned businesses.

In Montana, USDA Rural Development has worked closely with Mission West Community Development Partners and the Montana Cooperative Development Center to provide funding through the RCDG program which, in turn, has been used to provide expertise and technical assistance to Montana businesses.

As a Regional Economic Development Organization, Mission West Community Development Partners provides community and economic development efforts to help businesses in Lake, Mineral and Sanders counties, as well as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, grow and prosper.

“Our Cooperative Development Center is a key part of how we’re working to support and sustainably develop the economies of rural western Montana,” noted Mission West Community Development Partners Cooperative Development Center Director, Kaylee Thornley. “Through the USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant program, Mission West has been able to provide technical assistance and training to 33 cooperatives in starting or expanding their business in the last two years.”

Rural Cooperative Development Grants may be used by Rural Cooperative Development Centers to fund operations such as conducting feasibility studies, developing business plans, providing leadership and operational improvement training, and facilitating strategic planning.

“As an example, through RCDG funding, Mission West assisted the Ronan Cooperative Brewery in successfully opening as Montana’s first cooperative brewery in 2020, contributing to the revitalization of Ronan’s rural Main Street,” added Thornley. “And, earlier this year, Mission West continued to assist the co-op brewery after its opening by providing technical assistance to expand its digital marketing presence to increase sales.”

The Montana Cooperative Development Center (MCDC) works with new and existing cooperatives and other groups to evaluate cooperative business models and strategies to meet their objectives.

“Montana Cooperative Development Center has proudly received RCDG funding for several years,” stated Montana Cooperative Development Center’s Executive Director, Tracy McIntyre.  “Our work across Montana shows the vastness of how cooperatives can address community and economic needs. We are working on developing cooperatives to address critical issues facing our state, including (but not limited to) childcare, housing, food and meat processing, food distribution, and workforce conversions to employee ownership.”

MCDC is the only statewide resource for cooperative development.  With financial assistance from state and federal sources, including previous USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grants, MCDC is able to offer services at little or no cost to project groups across the state.

“MCDC also works with all existing cooperatives and supports the work of the Montana Telecommunication Association and telecommunication cooperatives on broadband adoption and deployment. And, through the Socially Disadvantaged Group Grant, which is another USDA Rural Development program, MCDC is providing technical assistance to our Indigenous communities,” McIntyre added.

To learn more about business investment resources for Montana’s rural areas, contact Montana’s Business and Cooperative Programs Director, Lad Barney, at (406) 309-3350 or [email protected].

Additional information on the required materials and how to apply for the RCDG program are available on page 19842 of the April 6, 2022, Federal Register.

If you would like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has updated three key crop insurance options for livestock producers: the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM), and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP). USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) revised the insurance options to reach more producers, offer greater flexibility for protecting their operations, and ultimately, better meet the needs of the country’s swine, dairy, and cattle producers. The updates were published last week for the 2023 crop year, which begins July 1, 2022.

“Great and sound customer service is the most important thing we can provide our nation’s producers, making sure the programs and products we offer give them the most useful tools for covering their risks,” said RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger. “Agriculture is not a static industry, and these updates reflect the importance we place on always knowing the evolving needs of producers and offering the most people the best risk management tools we can.”

DRP is designed to insure against unexpected declines in the quarterly revenue from milk sales relative to a guaranteed coverage level; LGM protects against the loss of gross margin (or livestock’s market value minus feed costs); and LRP provides protection against price declines.

Producers will now have more flexibility for DRP, LGM, and LRP, when indemnities are used to pay premiums, which can help producers manage their operation’s cash flow. With these updates, producers can now have both LGM and LRP policies, although they cannot insure the same class of livestock for the same time period or have the same livestock insured under multiple policies.

Additional updates by insurance option include:

Dairy Revenue Protection

• Dairy producers are now able to continue coverage even if they experience a disaster, such as a barn fire, at their operation.

Livestock Gross Margin

• Cattle, Dairy, and Swine coverage has been expanded, making it available in all counties in all 50 states.

Livestock Risk Protection

• Insurance companies are now required to pay indemnities within 30 days, rather than the previous 60 days, following the receipt of the claim form.

• Head limits have been increased:

oFed Cattle: 12,000 head per endorsement and 25,000 head per crop year

oFeeder Cattle: 12,000 head per endorsement and 25,000 head per crop year

oSwine: 70,000 head per endorsement and 750,000 head per crop year

• The termination date under LRP has been extended from June 30 to August 31

• Location reporting requirements have been relaxed to list only state and county, instead of the precise legal location.

Learn more on RMA’s Livestock Insurance Plans webpage. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.

More Information

These improvements to livestock insurance options build on other efforts by USDA to improve programs for livestock producers. Recently, USDA expanded the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish to cover transportation costs of livestock to feed as well as feed to livestock. And USDA expanded Dairy Margin Coverage to enable dairy producers to enroll supplemental coverage.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

Online Modules Now Available for Calf Care and Quality Assurance Program

DENVER, May 11, 2022 – Farmers and ranchers raising calves now have access to the free Calf Care and Quality Assurance (CCQA) program online at www.calfcareqa.org. CCQA promotes a way of thinking that prompts calf raisers to approach management decisions with thoughtfulness and an appreciation for the responsibility they have to their animals, consumers, the environment and the broader cattle industry in the United States.

“Healthy calves are the cornerstone of every beef, dairy and veal facility,” said Trey Patterson, Wyoming rancher and chair of the Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Group. “Committing to calf health management is the right thing to do for calves, producers and consumers, and completing CCQA’s online modules is an easy way to demonstrate that commitment.”

The program was developed with an understanding of the diversity of calf-raising enterprises, being science and outcomes based while maintaining facility type and size neutrality. While the practices identified in the animal care reference manual are not the only practices that can meet the desired outcomes, the program provides a framework that serves as a resource for anyone working in the calf-raising industry. In addition to the manual, online modules and self-assessment tools, CCQA will release an audit tool later this year. Completion of the CCQA online modules provides certification equivalent to Beef Quality Assurance certification.

Certification through CCQA helps ensure optimal calf health and welfare and is the first, collaborative educational tool that provides guidelines for calf raisers. The CCQA program is a joint initiative led by NCBA’s Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program and the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program, managed by the National Milk Producer’s Federation (NMPF) with support from the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association, and the Beef Checkoff-funded Veal Quality Assurance (VQA) program.

“Certification programs such as CCQA establish guidelines and standards that help earn the public’s trust, demonstrating that beef and dairy producers share their values and are committed not only to quality animal care, but also to ensuring safe, wholesome meat and milk,” said Patterson.

For more information, visit www.calfcareqa.org.

Montana Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau Cooperative Interstate Shipping Program FAQ

Question:        What is the Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Program?
Answer:           The CIS program allows selected “state inspected” establishments to ship their selected products across state lines. This program is voluntary.

Question:        Who can apply for CIS?
Answer:           Any licensed establishment who has had a state Grant of Inspection for at least 90 days and has no more than 25 employees. The establishment needs a satisfactory Food Safety Assessment on record with no outstanding issues and the ability to take measures to completely separate CIS inspected products from all other activities with the establishment.

Question:        Who may not apply for CIS?
Answer:           Any establishment under USDA Grant of inspection. Any state inspected facility with over 25 employees.

Question:        I currently have a custom processing plant. Can I join CIS?
Answer:           Yes, however, you will need to maintain a state grant of inspection for 90 days before applying to enter the CIS program.

Question:        I am an eligible plant owner, what should I do first?
Answer:           Refer to FSIS Directive 5740.1 which describes the CIS process.

Question:        What regulations should I review before requesting the on-site visit?
Answer:           FSIS Directive 5740.1: Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program

9 CFR Part 313: Humane Handling of Livestock

9 CFR part 416: Sanitation

9 CFR Part 417: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

9 CFR Part 500: Rules of Practice

*For plants with poultry* 9 CFR Part 381: Poultry Products Inspection Regulations

Question:        What will the process involve?
Answer:           The basics will include:

• • • • Review of establishments hazard analysis and HACCP plans for all applicable processes
      • Review of recall plan, food defense plan and labels.
      • Onsite review of facility will be completed by state inspection staff.
      • Entrance meeting with USDA official will be scheduled to review: employee numbers, labels, facilities and equipment and product processes to finalize establishment is able to meet basic requirements.
      • If requirements are not met the representative will discuss with plant and state inspection staff what is necessary for eligibility. If USDA standards are not met by the second visit the establishment may not reapply for one year.

Question:        Once I am in the CIS program, where can I ship my products?
Answer:           Anywhere within the United States.

Question:        Who will be my inspector if I enter this program?
Answer:           A state of Montana Department of Livestock inspector will still be the regular inspector. A federal inspector will conduct less frequent, unscheduled inspections as well.

Question:        Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
Answer:           Interested facilities should contact the Department of Livestock at 406-444-5202 or [email protected].

Additional information regarding the CIS Program can be found at:
https://www.fsis.usda.gov/inspection/apply-grant-inspection/state-inspection-programs/cooperative-interstate-shipping-program

NCBA CALL TO ACTION: Sign Letter to Oppose Amendment Attacking Beef Checkoff

Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana has introduced a harmful amendment (#113) to the agriculture appropriations bill currently being considered in the House of Representatives. This bill funds the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the next fiscal year.

The Spartz amendment is a direct attack on the Beef Checkoff and is intended to prohibit USDA from carrying out commodity checkoff programs. It is important to note that NO taxpayer dollars are used to implement checkoff programs, but this amendment is a way to open the door to additional animal rights activist-led proposals in the Farm Bill.

Please sign our letter to Congress urging policymakers to vote NO on the harmful Spartz amendment. The House is expected to consider these amendments early next week.

Submit your Comments on the Montana Drought Management Plan

After three years and wide-ranging input from hundreds of Montanans across the state, plus an interagency Drought Task Force, the draft Montana Drought Management Plan (Plan) is ready for your review and comments at MTDroughtInfo.org. 

The goal of the Montana Drought Management Plan is to build drought resilience across Montana. This means ensuring Montana is prepared for drought at all phases of the drought cycle: before, during, and after drought. The Plan strengthens and advances Montana’s drought preparedness by providing information and resources for coping with drought directly – plus 34 management recommendations that will better prepare Montana for future drought.

Specifically, the Plan includes:

• Current information on how Montana monitors and assesses drought and how that connects to federal aid
• Guidance and resources for drought monitoring in your community
• A data-driven assessment of Montana’s vulnerability to drought
• Updated state-level drought management triggers for five drought stages and current agency response actions associated with each stage
• An operational framework for managing drought, including roles and responsibilities for each participating entity
• 34 stakeholder-generated drought management recommendations to prepare Montana for future drought

NCBA Launches Tax Survey as Part of Advocacy Efforts

NCBA has launched a nationwide survey of our members and affiliates to learn more about the impact of the estate tax and other business tax provisions on cattle producers. NCBA will conduct the tax survey through the end of 2023 and report the findings at our annual convention in Orlando.

The temporary relief from the estate tax secured in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will go away at the end of 2025, and beginning in 2026, estates valued greater than $5 million (adjusted for inflation) will be subject to the federal estate tax. At that time, many producers will face a greater risk of paying the 40% estate tax. Many of the business tax provisions in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are also set to expire at the end of 2025. Important tools like Section 2032(A) Special Use Valuation, Section 179 Expensing, and Bonus Depreciation are up for grabs.

To protect these important tools, we need your help to gather updated information and personal stories from cattle producers to educate Congress on the importance of these key tax provisions and push back against the scheduled tax hikes.

The survey will be conducted anonymously, and personal information will be kept private.

Take the survey here. 

NCBA Public Policy Internship

Job Description

NCBA CattleCon24 Scholarship Opportunities

Applications open July 1

Reveal your potential and expand your network at the largest event in the beef cattle business! NCBA offers three scholarship types for farmers and ranchers just like you to attend CattleCon. Scholarship opportunities include Beef Industry Member Scholarship, Young Beef Producer Scholarship, and Student Scholarship.

BEEF CATTLE INDUSTRY MEMBER SCHOLARSHIP

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Any member of the beef cattle industry
• Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and answers to the applications questions

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• Complimentary Education Package to CattleCon24
• Discounted housing accommodations at select hotels for three (3) nights, January 31 – February 2, 2024

Applications will open July 1, 2023. Five (5) recipients will be selected.

YOUNG BEEF PRODUCER SCHOLARSHIP

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Any young beef producer in the industry
• Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and answers to the applications questions

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• Complimentary Education Package to CattleCon24
• Discounted housing accommodations at select hotels for three (3) nights, January 31 – February 2, 2024

Applications will open July 1, 2023. Three (3) recipients will be selected.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

College, Post-Graduate, Doctorial students currently enrolled in classes

• Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and answers to the applications questions

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• Complimentary Education Package to CattleCon24
• Discounted housing accommodations at select hotels for three (3) nights, January 31 – February 2, 2024

Applications will open July 1, 2023. Three (3) recipients will be selected.

Visit NCBA’s CattleCon Scholarships webpage to learn more.

Graduate Students Encouraged to Apply for Scholarship to Advance Beef Industry

Deadline for W.D. Farr Scholarship Program is September 22

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (Aug. 14, 2023) – The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is accepting applications for the annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program. Established in 2007, the scholarship recognizes outstanding graduate students pursuing careers in meat science and animal agriculture.

Two $15,000 grants are awarded to graduate students who demonstrate superior achievement in academics and leadership and are committed to the advancement of the beef industry. Scholarship recipients recognize that the program not only benefits their work but also the entire industry.

“This scholarship is giving me the opportunity to holistically investigate some of the greatest challenges and opportunities for future agriculturalists and to expand my knowledge of livestock systems and the innovations that will support future agri-food supply chains,” said 2022 recipient and Colorado State University graduate student Ashley Schilling.

Graduate students must apply online by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, description of applicant’s goals and experience, a short essay, statement of belief in the industry, as well as a review of the applicant’s graduate research and three letters of recommendation by September 22, 2023. The 2023 scholarship recipients will be recognized at CattleCon 2024 in Orlando, January 31-February 2.

The scholarship honors the successful career of the late W.D. Farr, a third-generation Coloradan, pioneer rancher, statesman and banker who was known for his extraordinary vision. His dedication to improving agriculture, livestock and water development resulted in significant changes in farming methods that have influenced the practices of ranchers and farmers throughout the nation. Farr was the first president of the NCF and served as president of the American National Cattlemen’s Association, which would later become the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Farr died at age 97 in August 2007.

The NCF advances the future of the beef industry by assisting in the education of the next generation of beef industry professionals. For more information and to apply for the scholarship, visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.

NCBA Cattle Industry Convention Internship

Job Description

NRCS Montana Conservation Careers