Building Wildlife-Friendly Farming Capacity in Montana
GrantID: 66613
Grant Funding Amount Low: $300,000
Deadline: Ongoing
Grant Amount High: $10,000,000
Summary
Grant Overview
Addressing Capacity Challenges in Montana with Wildlife-Friendly Farming Practices
Montana's agricultural landscape faces significant capacity gaps, particularly concerning human-wildlife conflict. As wildlife populations grow, farmers experience heightened disruptions to their operations. According to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, over 50% of ranchers report conflicts with species such as deer and elk, which directly affect crop yields and livestock safety. This situation represents a critical barrier for many rural communities who depend on agriculture for their livelihood.
Local farmers are on the front lines of this issue. Many small-scale producers and ranchers are not only grappling with deteriorating conditions regarding crop and livestock safety, but they also lack the resources and knowledge to implement effective wildlife management strategies. Issues such as fencing and habitat management often require substantial capital investment, which is out of reach for many agricultural operators in the state. Moreover, the vast, open landscapes of Montana make it difficult to monitor and manage wildlife interactions effectively.
The funding opportunity aimed at promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices intends to provide necessary training and resources to help mitigate these conflicts. By educating farmers about best practices, including non-lethal deterrents and habitat modifications, the initiative seeks to improve the coexistence of agricultural production and wildlife conservation. Success will be measured not only by reduced incidents of human-wildlife conflict but also by improvements in biodiversity indicators within agricultural landscapes.
Such an initiative is especially relevant in Montana, where agriculture constitutes a significant portion of the economy, employing around 20% of the workforce as reported in the US Census Bureau's 2020 data. Enhancing agricultural resilience by addressing the critical barrier of human-wildlife conflict supports a broader goal of economic stability for rural communities. Furthermore, by promoting wildlife-friendly practices, this initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to environmental stewardship, which is deeply ingrained in Montana's cultural heritage.
Who Should Apply in Montana
Eligibility for funding is available to Montana-based nonprofits, small farms, and agricultural cooperatives focused on implementing wildlife-friendly practices. Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of both the agricultural and ecological implications of their proposed projects and how these efforts will specifically benefit their local community and wildlife habitats.
The application process requires detailed descriptions of landscape management strategies and evidence of stakeholder engagement among local farmers and wildlife management agencies. Applicants should clearly describe how they plan to implement training programs addressing human-wildlife conflict and the metrics they will use to assess outcomes. Documenting prior successful initiatives may strengthen proposals, showcasing experience and readiness to work on complex conservation issues.
Given Montana’s vast and varying agricultural contexts, the application will benefit from a rich understanding of regional challenges and opportunities. Farmers in the Bitterroot Valley may face different wildlife interactions compared to those in the eastern plains. By tailoring approaches to local contexts, applicants can better position their proposals within the broader framework of Montana's agricultural and ecological needs.
As funding becomes available, these collaborative efforts will not only advance agricultural practices but also contribute to Montana's long-standing tradition of balancing human needs with wildlife conservation.
Eligible Regions
Interests
Eligible Requirements
