About
The Rangeland Improvement Loan Program (RILP) was initiated in 1979 as part of the Montana Rangeland Resource Program. The RILP provides low-interest loans to Montana’s farmers and ranchers; loans are annual installment and have a 10-year maximum repayment period to assist with improving and developing rangelands in Montana.
Loan Program by the Numbers
| 275 | 164 | $3,697,569.01 | $3,328,992.96 | 0 |
| Application | Loans | Total of Loans | Total Paid Back | Defaults |
Learn More
Any person may apply for a loan for rangeland improvements on land that will be constructed, developed, and operated in Montana. If the person is a resident of Montana, is engaged in farming or ranching, and possesses the necessary expertise to make the loan practical.
Example projects include:
- Stock water development (tanks)
- Cross fencing
- Establishment of grazing methods/programs
- Reseeding
- Mechanical restoration
- Weed management
- And anything that is considered a range improvement
Current interest rate = 3.5%
Maximum loan amount = $100,000
Repayment is scheduled for a maximum of ten years with annual installments
Maximum loan amount = $100,000
Repayment is scheduled for a maximum of ten years with annual installments
The RILP application consists of (3) sections: conservation plan, environmental impacts, and financial information. Applicants must work with their local conservation district to prepare the conservation plan portion of the application--this is the only section of the application that the conservation district reviews; once the conservation plan is reviewed the entire application packet is forwarded to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), and then to the Rangeland Resource Committee. The Director of DNRC has final approval authority.
Loan applications are accepted by the DNRC at any time of the year.
Contact Us
Bill Herbolich
Budget Analyst/Loan Manager
Renewable Resource Loans
Rangeland Resource Loans
BHerbolich@mt.gov
Stacey Barta
Program Manager
Rangeland Resource Loans
406-594-8481
SBarta@mt.gov