The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has an historic $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The NRCS is accepting project proposals now through July 2. RCPP proposals should focus on climate-smart agriculture, urban agriculture and conservation projects that will help

As a part of his continued efforts to lower energy costs for Montanans and strengthen Montana’s energy production, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., recently introduced his bipartisan Supporting Energy in Rural America Act to improve the Renewable Fuel Standard Program and give Montanan’s small scale refineries a fair shake in competition with multinational oil corporations. “Montanans

As a part of his continued efforts to ensure that our men and women in uniform have the resources they need to keep Montana and our country safe, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., has announced that airmen at Malmstrom Air Force Base will receive a Cold Weather Assignment Incentive Pay raise. Funding for the AIP-CW raise provided to Malmstrom airmen was authorized by Tester as part of his vote for

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting applications from landowners who are interested in participating in the 2024 Block Management Program. Application deadline is June 1. Through the Block Management Program, landowners and FWP work together to help manage wildlife and public hunting activities on enrolled lands. Landowners and FWP enter into voluntary agreements that determine how

State Superintendent Elsie Arntzen held a virtual meeting Wednesday evening, March 20, where she sought to counter bipartisan criticism from lawmakers that the Office of Public Instruction, under her leadership, has fumbled the implementation of several high-profile education laws passed in the 2023 session. The Zoom event, virtually attended by 13 people including OPI staff and a Montana

Five properties across Montana are being nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Properties. All five nominations were recommended for forwarding by the governor- appointed Montana Historic Preservation Review Board. The volunteer board is part of the State Historic Preservation Office. Recommendations include: A five-mile stretch of scenic highway that used to be part

AgWest Farm Credit — an agricultural lending cooperative serving agricultural producers throughout the West — released its 2023 financial results, marking a significant milestone following the merger of legacy associations Farm Credit West and Northwest Farm Credit Services on Jan. 1, 2023. The association reports strong financial performance in 2023 including net income of $707.8 million,

Landowners have until March 15 to apply for Unlocking Public Lands Program or the Public Access Land Agreement Program. These programs are designed to provide public access to state or federal land where access is either limited or doesn’t exist. For enrollment in UPL, landowners will receive an income tax credit in the amount of $750 per agreement and up to a maximum of $3,000 in tax credits

The Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office today opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on 27 oil and gas parcels totaling 5,574 acres that may be included in an upcoming lease sale in Montana and North Dakota. The comment period ends March 27, 2024. The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in January 2024 and is now seeking public comment on the parcels,