The Montana Department of Natural Resources Conservation is taking proactive steps to support agricultural producers by offering the Rangeland Improvement Loan, a financial opportunity designed to bolster range improvements. With a current interest rate of a mere 3.5%, this program has been a cornerstone of assistance for Montana's agricultural community since its inception in 1979.
"The Rangeland Improvement Loan Program is an essential component of our broader Rangeland Resource Program, which seeks to encourage private landowners to invest in range improvement practices and projects," says Stacey Barta, the state coordinator for the Rangeland Program at the Department.
To initiate the application process, interested individuals must first consult with their local conservation district, which will review their conservation plan. Once the conservation plan is approved at the district level, the entire application is then forwarded to the Department for further review and approval. Upon approval, the loan will be disbursed to the applicant.
Barta further explains, "The RILP offers a maximum loan amount of $100,000, with annual installments available for a maximum period of 10 years. To be eligible, applicants must be private landowners, and the program supports a variety of projects, including stock water developments implementation of grazing methods/programs, reseeding, and mechanical restoration."
The Rangeland Resources Committee, responsible for overseeing the Rangeland Improvement Loan Program, convenes annually to set interest rates for the program. This commitment to ensuring competitive interest rates demonstrates the Department’s dedication to supporting Montana's agricultural community.
For more details about the application process, eligible projects, and the Rangeland Improvement Loan Program, please visit the DNRC website at https://dnrc.mt.gov/Conservation/Grant-and-Loan-Programs/Loans/Rangeland-Resource-Loans.Tags: