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Montana Grass Conservation Commission
Purpose
The Montana Grass Conservation Commission (MGCC) is a governor-appointed board whose mission is to conserve, protect, restore, and facilitate the proper utilization of grass, forage, and range resources in the state of Montana. The Commission does this by organizing and administering the state grazing districts and by promoting cooperation between the Bureau of Land Managements, the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the state districts.
For More information regarding the duties and purpose of the MGCC, please download the grazing handbook
Why is this needed?
The state of Montana's leading industry is agriculture. This industry, particularly the livestock branch, thrives on its access to public lands. In fact, roughly one-third of the entire state (about 30 million acres) is public land, much of which is considered viable for grazing. As such, these valuable forage lands are contained within the boundaries of the state's 27 grazing districts
What are Grazing Districts?
Grazing districts are constructs of the Taylor Grazing Act which was adopted in 1934. These lands, highly valued by stockgrowers for their grazing purposes, were vacant, unappropriated and unreserved land from the public domain (the public domain does not include national forests, parks, monuments, Indian reservations, or railroad grant lands). Much of this land was used prior to the creation of grazing districts, but during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s controversy concerning sustainable grazing practices and rights to forage arose forcing the hand of government to act on these issues. The result was the creation of federally recognized boards that could manage the "preferences," or rights to use the resources of certain parcels of land, of their regional ranching communities.
After the act was put in place, locals in the livestock industry could petition the Secretary of the Interior to have a local district created. If accepted they would form a board that would meet and manage the permits that designated grazing preferences, finances to maintain leases and range improvements, and to generally maintain orderly grazing of the public lands within their district.
Montana has seen the creation of many districts in their 70-plus years of operation. The state also has a long-standing history of partnerships with many federal organizations to provide the utmost care in regards to stewardship and the administration of public lands. The maintenance of the public lands in Montana is integral not only to the individual success of the members of the state grazing districts, whose livelihood hinges on a healthy relationship between the land and the livestock, but also on the economic success of Montana.
The Board
The Commission is composed of five members which include: Two officers or directors of state districts, two active holders of grazing preferences to a state district, and then an ex officio member appointed by the commission. These members receive no compensation for their services on the board, but are recompensed for personal expenses to fulfill their duties for the commission (e.g. travel and per diem).
The Current Board
Dan Teigen
HC 33 Box 845
Teigen, MT 59084
Leo Solf
P.O. Box 121
Winnett, MT 59087
Steve Barnard
HC 73 Box 18
Hinsdale, MT 59241
Mr. Alvin Windy Boy SR
RR Box 917
Box Elder, MT 59521
W.E. "Sonny" Obrecht
P.O. Box 156
Turner, MT 59542
Sandra K. Brown
Executive Vice President
P.O. Box 622
Terry, MT 59349
