Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD (MT))

- Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis January – December 2020. 
- Applications should be submitted to Stephanie Adams, SWCDM Director electronically to stephanie@macdnet.org 
- Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of SWCDM, DEQ, and MRCDC representatives. 
- SWCDM will submit a letter of acceptance, rejection, or recommendations within 60 days of application submission. 
- If recommendations are presented to the applicant, the applicant must resubmit the application with suggested amendments for full consideration. 
- If accepted, the landowner & associated Conservation District/Watershed Group will work with SWCDM to complete a Scope of Work, Operations & Maintenance Agreement, and Cost-Share Contract that must be completed and signed by all parties within 90 days of the acceptance letter.

Stephanie Adams

Madi Larson

MACD Associate Director (Ranching for Rivers questions/applications)

General office

The Ranching for Rivers Program is a cost-share program designed to assist landowners protect riparian health through improved ranching practices. Through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Ranching for Rivers offers 50% cost-share for fencing material, off-site water infrastructure, and developing grazing management plans. Funding is also available for Conservation Districts and Watershed Groups to provide technical assistance on ranching management projects to local landowners in their area.



Landowners, Conservation Districts, and Watershed Groups who are working within areas with a DEQ-approved Watershed Restoration Plan are encouraged to apply for program funding for identified projects. When the application is open, Restoration Plan maps can be found on the swcdm.org.

Eligible Costs: 
- Fencing Material for complete exclusions or “riparian pastures” 
- Livestock pipeline 
- Materials for stream crossing 
- Permanent drinking tanks & winter tanks with storage 
- Contracted costs for the development of a Grazing Management Plan by a range specialist 
- Conservation District and Watershed Group Staff time for technical assistance 

NRCS rates, provided in appendix A of the Ranching for Rivers Application, can be used to calculate expenses for certain practices 

Ineligible Costs: 
- Time & labor costs by associated with project installation 
- Fencing/equipment maintenance or replacement

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- Program Information and Application Instructions
- Past Project Highlights/Example
- Project Final Reporting Template

Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Air Quality

Carbon Capture

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

HVAC

Lighting

Repairs

Buildings

Construction

Fencing

Greenhouse

Storage

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Water Management

Fertilizer

Regenerative

Infrastructure

Disaster Relief

Inputs

Nutrient Management

Conservation

Emergency

The Ranching for Rivers program offers 50% cost-share for project implementation and/or the development of a Grazing Management Plan. The 50% cost-share will be provided in the form of reimbursement following a completed project. Upon application acceptance, landowners are required to complete a landowner agreement requiring maintenance of the installed practice(s) for the expected life of the practice(s) (typically 10 years).

50% nonfederal match must be recorded and reported to SWCDM along with final project expenses and reporting. Match may include: 
- Dollars provided by other non-federal grants used to complete the project 
- Dollars provided directly by the landowner. 
- Laboring or administrative costs by a Conservation District, Watershed Group, or landowner not already being charged directly to the Ranching for Rivers program.

Cost-share (2025 call): 50% reimbursement for fencing material, livestock pipeline, stream-crossing materials, permanent/winter drinking tanks, and contracted Grazing Management Plan development; 50% non-federal match (landowner dollars, in-kind labor at $30.84/hr, other non-federal grants). Funded through Montana DEQ's EPA Section 319 grant; review panel MACD, DEQ, DNRC and the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council.

List of Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD (MT)) Funding Opportunities