Hill County Conservation District

02/03/2026

Great workshop being put on by NRCS! Reach out to the local office if you're interested in attending.

06/07/2025

The Hill County Conservation District was established on April 19th 1946. HCCD was part of a wave of local conservation districts formed throughout the coun ...

05/06/2025

The trees are popping, the grass is green, and it’s time to seed Hill County wildflowers! Visit us at the USDA office, Pepin Park, or Triple Dog to pick up wildflowers native to Hill County this May.

For seed mix information and planting advice visit our website linked here!
https://hillcountycd.macdnet.org/resources/pollinator-program/

The Hill County Conservation District was established on April 19th 1946. HCCD was part of a wave of local conservation districts formed throughout the coun ...

04/24/2025

Explore how you can save water this Spring! Follow the link here to reserve a rain barrel for pickup or for one of our workshops this May!

https://forms.gle/FfiwnBjfg2TwkXim7

Rain barrels are a fantastic tool for capturing water for all your garden activities! This spring we're providing rain barrel kits to Hill County resid ...

04/19/2025

Spring is here and pasque flowers are up around Hill County! Hike along Bullhook Butte trail or visit Beaver Creek Park to witness these Easter flowers while they last.

04/12/2025

Want to deepen your knowledge of Rangeland Health and Grazing Management? The 406 Grazing Academy is coming to Havre for a multi-day workshop June 3rd-5th!

Visit www.mtrangelands.org to register!

04/07/2025

If done properly and done at the correct time, the cows' hooves can serve as an excellent tool to trample the seed into the soil. These living tools provide trampling, fertilizing, and grazing services!

Follow the link to learn more about livestock as a cropping tool:

https://attra.ncat.org/publication/livestock-as-a-tool-improving-soil-health-boosting-crops-2/ #:~:text=The%20Livestock%20Advantage,carbon%2C%20back%20into%20the%20soil.

04/06/2025

Studies suggest that continuous cropping is better for soil health than chem fallow and in the long term continuous cropping can help reduce input costs

Local climate and crop insurance can make cover cropping a difficult prospect in our area of the Hi-Line, but there are producers who have made it work for them.

Follow the link to explore resources on cover crop planning:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/Cover%20Crop%20Periodic%20Table.pdf

04/05/2025

When building a crop rotation Carbon crops help build soil structure and Nitrogen crops help build soil nutrients.

Current best practices recommend a Carbon-Carbon-Nitrogen crop rotation structure.

Follow the link for an article on how one Montana farmer has made diverse cropping work for him:

https://www.agweb.com/news/one-montana-farmers-conservation-solution-get-back-his-prairie-roots

04/04/2025

Good stubble protects the soil surface from the wind, helps with water retention, and helps capture snow!

Leaving at least 2/3rds of the stalk is a good way to protect your fields.

Follow the link for a guide on combine maintenance:

https://www.agriculture.com/machinery/harvesting/the-ultimate-combine-maintenance-and-adjustment-guide

04/03/2025

Soil disturbance breaks up soil structure, making the soil surface vulnerable to blowing and compacting away space for water to soak down into the roots.

Minimizing soil disturbance through minimal till and no-till practices helps protect your soil integrity.

Follow the link to watch clips on soil health testing!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdKI_YlLlhp1vfQhR9srriwvqZDA0eXqZ

04/02/2025

Did you know that in our region of Montana it can take a thousand years for one inch of soil to form?

Topsoil is one of our most valuable natural resources. This week in recognition of Montana’s Soil Health Week we’ll be spotlighting each of the five soil health principles for preserving our soil.