Carter County, located in the southeast corner of Montana, consists primarily of gently rolling plains with shallow creek valleys and broad flat badland areas. Ekalaka is the county seat. Major streams in this semi-arid county are Box Elder Creek and the Little Missouri River. Rangelands make up much of the county, and an overwhelming majority of the land in farms is used for livestock grazing. Just 14 percent is used for crop production. Prime farmland present along the creek systems is often dedicated to hay production.
The NRCS office, located in Ekalaka, 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 Carter County Landowners
- Carter County Collaborative Noxious Weed Treatment Project TIP
- Montana Grasslands and Wildlife Corridors RCPP Project
- Opeeche Park- North Ekalaka Hills Fuels Reduction TIP
- Sage Grouse Initiative
- Sheep Mountains - Lower Long Pines Targeted Implementation Plan (TIP)
- Southeast Montana Ventenata Control TIP
- Virtual Fencing for Improving Grazing Land Health and Ranch Viability TIP
- Montana Grassland Restoration 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.