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Scenic view of rangeland in Blaine County, Montana

Blaine County

Blaine County, located on the Canadian border in north central Montana, has an area of 4,267 square miles and a population of 6,491. The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in the south eastern portion of the county represents the A’aninin (Gros Ventre) and the Nakoda (Assinboine) Tribes. Other land ownership is a mix of public and private. Much of the county consists of flat prairies of glacial till, pot hole wetlands, and deposits of alluvium. Two small distinct mountain ranges are found in Blaine County: the Little Rockies and the Bear Paw Mountains. The south end of the county also contains part of the Missouri River Breaks. A section of the Missouri River forms the southern border of the county and the Milk River runs through the county from northwest to southeast.

The climate is highly variable making agriculture in the county highly susceptible to weather extremes. Rangelands represent the largest land use; cool season grasses, primarily wheat, are the predominant crops. Blaine County USDA Service Centers offer 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 Blaine 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.

Blaine 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.

Blaine County Long Range Plan 2020 (1.42 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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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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