Montana Association of Conservation Districts

09/04/2026

𝗔 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁!

The SHAPE Program is looking for producers across Montana to help build a better picture of soil health and how different management practices impact our soils.

Conservation Districts can play a key role in helping spread the word and connect producers with the program.

Interested in learning more or know a producer who might be a good fit? Check out the SHAPE resources and current Montana needs: https://macdnet.org/2026/shape-program-producer-recruitment-opportunity/

SHAPE Program: Producer Recruitment Opportunity September 2, 2026 lenos Announcements MACD is sharing information about SHAPE (Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation), a new farmer-friendly NRCS tool designed to benchmark soil health across the country and connect soil health conditions with...

09/03/2026

Have You Registered for Your Area Meeting?

Fall Area Meetings are coming up across Montana, and registration is open.

Whether you’re a Conservation District supervisor, employee, or partner, Area Meetings are a chance to stay connected, hear what’s happening across the Association, and engage with districts in your area.

Register for your Area Meeting and get the details:
https://macdnet.org/programs/area-meetings/

08/28/2026

What issues are important to your Conservation District?

MACD’s resolution process gives districts an opportunity to bring forward issues and priorities for consideration across Montana.

Reminder: Resolutions are due September 1, 2026.

Review the process and available resources: https://macdnet.org/2026/reminder-2026-resolution-deadline-is-september-1st/

08/25/2026

Looking ahead to 2027 conservation projects? NRCS is now accepting applications for financial assistance programs in Montana.
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.
Learn more: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Programs include:
• 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗣): Protect agricultural land from development and protect, restore and enhance wetlands.

• 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗖𝗦𝗣): Build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

• 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗘𝗤𝗜𝗣): Address natural resource concerns such as soil health, erosion, water and air quality.

• 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗥𝗖𝗣𝗣): Support partner-driven solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural lands.

• 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗥𝗣𝗣): Implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application for EQIP and CSP.

08/24/2026

2026 Call for Resolutions: 𝘚𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘋𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 1𝘴𝘵

Conservation Districts are invited to review the Call for Resolutions and participate in the annual resolution process. The resolution process provides an opportunity for Districts to bring forward issues, policy recommendations, and priorities for consideration by MACD.

This year’s resources also include information for the Resolution Sunset Review process.

Review the 2026 Call for Resolutions, updated deadlines, and resources:
https://macdnet.org/2026/resolution-season-is-here-updated-deadline-and-new-resources/

08/19/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗗 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

The revised Policy Book includes current policy statements, legislative and national directives, updated resolutions procedures, and information about the 2026 sunset review process.

Explore the latest resources:
https://macdnet.org/about-us/board-organization-documents/resolution-and-committees-process/

08/18/2026

A new nationwide effort is helping improve soil health knowledge while providing participating producers with valuable field-level information.

The SHAPE (Soil Health Assessment Protocol and Evaluation) project is looking for farmers and ranchers to participate before available field spots are filled. Participants receive free soil health testing, a personalized report, compensation, and contribute to research that will support future soil health management tools.

Watch the project overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WfiNG8LUAY

Schedule your enrollment meeting:
https://calendly.com/probing-our-countrys-soil-health/shape-survey

For this project we will surveying and sampling about 5,500 US fields. A targeted number of fields are allocated for each state. These states we have completed:Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington The minimal field size is 10 acres.This survey supports a national effort called “Probing

08/17/2026

Area Meetings Are Coming Up!

MACD’s 2026 Area Meetings are just around the corner. These annual gatherings are an opportunity for Conservation Districts to connect with neighboring districts, hear updates, discuss conservation priorities, and participate in important conversations about the year ahead.

Make plans to attend your Area Meeting this fall.
Find your area, register, and learn more:
https://macdnet.org/programs/area-meetings/

08/15/2026

Hot, dry weather can put added stress on Montana's landscapes and water resources. Here are a few simple ways to help conserve water this summer:

• Water lawns and gardens early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Check for leaks in hoses, faucets, and irrigation systems.
• Water only when needed and avoid overwatering.
• Stay informed about local drought conditions and water supply forecasts.

Looking for the latest statewide outlook? The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation's Summer 2026 Montana Drought and Water Supply Outlook provides current drought conditions, reservoir levels, streamflows, and seasonal forecasts to help communities prepare.

Read the report:https://drought.mt.gov/_docs/DWSAC-Materials/Water-Supply-Report-Summer-2026-Final.pdf

Explore additional drought resources: https://drought.mt.gov/

08/14/2026

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗗'𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀?

District resolutions help guide MACD's advocacy, programs, and organizational direction.

If your district is working on a resolution, even in draft form, contact MACD early so we can help support the review process.

Learn more:
https://macdnet.org/about-us/board-organization-documents/resolution-and-committees-process/https://macdnet.org