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You can find more information here.
The Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Program was established by the 1985 Montana Legislature to provide funding for the noxious weed research projects, state and community education/development projects, and local cooperative - landowner cost share. Applicants may apply for funding up to $75,000 per project. Additional information can be found in the Grant Guidelines or use the menu above for information on Applying, Instructions, Funding History, and the Advisory Council.
If you know someone interested in this grant program, please print and distribute the 2018 brochure.
Advisory Council Positions Open until May 31, 2023
- Submit nominations and completed applications to jchaffee@mt.gov or agr@mt.gov
- Open Positions:
- Livestock Production Representative
- Herbicide Dealer or Applicator
- Noxious Weed Research and Control Interests Representative
- Western County Weed District Representative
- Agriculture Crop Production Representative
- Contact Jasmine Chaffee for more information 444-3140, jchaffee@mt.gov.
Applying for a Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant
Apply for a Grant
What Can I Apply For?
- Applicants may apply for up to $75,000 per application. Grant funding is provided as reimbursement for completed project expenditures.
- Applications are submitted annually for development, education, research, and local cooperative (landowner cost share) projects.
Specific Project Types
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Local Cooperative Projects (New and Continuing)
- Local Cooperative projects involve on the ground treatment of noxious weeds and require the participation of a minimum of three adjacent landowners. Participating landowners will develop a cooperative weed management area, map noxious weeds in the project area, develop long term weed control plans and must have a committed dollar amount for treatment prior to application submission. Local Cooperative projects are required to have a minimum of 50% hard match for commercial application, herbicide, and revegetation costs. Administrative costs are available for Local Cooperative project coordinators that have not received a Special County/Reservation Grant.
- Local Cooperative projects should:
- support the State Weed Management Plan and meet Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) criteria,
- adhere closely to herbicide costs listed in the Current State Bid: Agricultural Chemicals,
- all herbicides must be used at state bid prices,
- have measurable objectives that describe how renewable resources will be enhanced,
- utilize appropriate integrated management techniques,
- provide a time schedule for beginning and completing all phases of the project,
- incorporate an annual monitoring plan to effectively track progress, and
- provide educational opportunities for land managers.
* New Local Cooperative projects require completion of an environmental assessment (EA) for the project area. EA requirements under the Noxious Weed Trust Fund Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (May 2010) include:
- General Vegetation
- Soils (includes soil maps)
- Ground and Surface Water (includes project maps and well locations)
- Air quality
- Habitat of fish & wildlife
- Threatened, endangered and species of concern (includes list of animals from MNHP or FWP)
- Historical and archeological sites (includes a letter from the Montana Historical Society)
* See instruction tab for more details on completing the EA
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Research Projects
Research projects may include chemical, non-chemical, biological, and integrated approaches to weed control. Creative proposals for investigating new weed management techniques are encouraged. Matching funds are not required and any in-kind match or forgone indirect costs can be noted in the application.
- Research projects should:
- support the State Weed Management Plan ,
- be developed in cooperation with land managers to address land management needs,
- increase knowledge of noxious weeds and/or improve an important aspect of noxious weed management,
- enhance a new or existing method of weed management,
- provide the foundation for a positive long term effect on threatened natural resources,
- contain specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely project objectives,
- explain the purpose of the research, what research has been done in the past, and what improvement and/or increased knowledge the project will produce,
- effectively disseminate project results to end users, and
- provide a time schedule for beginning and completing all phases of the project.
*Applicants are encouraged to contact the State Biological Control Coordinator at 406-258-4223 to discuss and collaborate on biological control components of the project.
Education/Development Projects
Education/Development projects include mapping, monitoring, planning, and education. Matching funds are not required and any in-kind match or forgone indirect costs can be noted in the application.
Education/Development projects should:
- support the State Weed Management Plan ,
- build partnerships and include collaborative resources from weed management resources,
- promote public awareness about noxious weed impacts and illustrate opportunities for action,
- be based on sound ecological principles,
- include a detailed action plan of how the project will be completed,
- contain specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely project objectives,
- specify how project success will be monitored and measured, including long-term evaluation, and
- provide a time schedule for beginning and completing all phases of the project.
*Applicants are encouraged to contact the State Education Coordinator at 406-883-7375 to discuss and collaborate on educational components of the project.
- Statewide Programs
- The Statewide Programs benefit the entire state and work in several or all counties. These programs include the Montana Noxious Weed Education Campaign, Montana Biocontrol Project, and strike-teams for Early Detection, Rapid Response programs. Statewide programs can apply for funds up to $225,000 for 3 years, not to exceed $75,000 per year. All awarded funds are reimbursable and can provide wages, supplies, contract work, and 50:50 cost-share for herbicides, commercial applicators, and re-seeding mixtures. Purchasing chemicals through the state bid is highly recommended. All programs should complement and enhance the Montana Weed Management Plan. Those interested in applying for this opportunity must have previously been awarded a Noxious Weed Trust Fund grant for the project for a minimum of 1 year and be in good standing. Contact the Grant Coordinator at 406-444-7882 for questions about eligibility.
How Do I Apply?
Register & Apply Online
- Applicants may apply for up to $75,000 per application.
- All applications must be submitted by an authorized organization (county weed district, conservation district, MSU extension or a non-profit).
- Refer to the Grant Instructions tab above for complete details and requirements.
- Register online at funding.mt.gov and choose Agriculture as your program of interest.
Application forms are submitted electronically using the online Montana Grants and Loans system. Applications are available annually starting in June/July. Complete registration and application instructions can be found on the Grant Instructions tab above, or click here to download the current Grant Guidelines.
Grant Presentations
Applications are reviewed by Department staff and the Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council. Grant hearings are held annually in March, where each applicant provides a ten minute presentation (PowerPoint, photos, etc.) for their project. Applicants are notified of the date and time of their presentation prior to the grant hearings.
Funding Deliberations & Project Selection
NWTF grants are competitive. Applications are evaluated based on the degree to which they address specific criteria found in the guidelines below. The Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council provides funding recommendations to the Department for final funding approval by the Director.
Development Criteria
Education Criteria
Research Evaluation Criteria
Local Cooperative Evaluation Criteria
Statewide Programs Evaluation Criteria
Grant Award Process
Applicants selected for funding are notified approximately three weeks after the NWTF grant hearings. A contract is written to define all project terms, conditions and responsibilities of the applicant and will clarify all legal patents and proprietary rights that will result from the proposed activity.
Once the contract is reviewed and signed by all applicable parties, the recipient will be able to request reimbursement for eligible costs incurred. The contract is effective upon the final signature(s) and date.
Projects must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, licensing and regulations for funds to be awarded. Evidence of such compliance may be required before grant reimbursement is issued.
Applicants not approved for funding will be notified in writing of the decision.
Grant Reporting Requirements
Award recipients are required to submit status reports in April and November of each year of the grant. Status reports address project activities from both the preceding time period and the upcoming time period. A final status report form summarizing the activities, impacts, and results of the entire project is required before the final claim is approved. Find more detailed information under the Instruction tab.
Noxious Weed Trust Fund Grant Instructions
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WebGrants Instructions
- Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) applications are submitted through the online WebGrants application portal. Refer to the WebGrants general information and instructions in the files below:
Application Information
Instructions:
Forms and Files:
Application Evaluation Criteria
Environmental Assessments (EA's)
New local cooperative projects require completion of an environmental assessment for the project area. Continuing local cooperatives that have added new herbicides, and/or expanded the project area or that have been inactive for 5 or more years are also required to complete an EA regarding the new information using the Supplemental EA Form for Continuing Grants.
Instructions:
Resources: Use the following to complete the corresponding sections of the assessment.
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- Historical and Archaeological Sites: Contact the Montana Historical Society
- Soils, and Ground and Surface Water:
- Soils: Web Soil Survey site
- Surface Water Map: Use any legible map source such as google earth, Montana Geographic Information Clearinghouse, paper topographical maps, etc. to obtain the following required information to complete the surface water section of the assessment.
- Use the Pesticide Potential Risk Information document to complete the Potential Risk section.
- Environmental Summary Report: Use the Montana Natural Heritage Program Map Viewer to obtain the following required information to complete the General Vegetation and Wildlife Habitat and TES Species section of the assessment.
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Tutorials and Training:
Grant Writing Tutorials (Coming Soon)
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- Noxious Weed Trust Grant Program
- AmpliFund 101
- Grant Application Form
- Environmental Assessments
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Grant Writing Workshop Files (Coming Soon):
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- NWTF Grant Program Information
- AmpliFund 101
- Grant Application Forms- Instructions
- Environmental Assessments (Veg, Fish, TES, Air, Historic, Soils & Groundwater)
- Workshop Files
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Active Grant Project/Post Award Instructions
Claims:
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- The Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) is a reimbursable grant program.
- Claims are submitted for incurred expenses online at mt.gov.
- Receipts, invoices, spray records, and document spreadsheets are required for each claim as applicable.
- Claim Instructions
- Claim Spreadsheet Template: Development, Education, and Research Template
- Claim Spreadsheet Template: Local Cooperative Template
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Status Reports/Performance Plans:
Extensions and Revisions Instructions:
Photo Points and Monitoring
Noxious Weed Trust Grant Program Funding History
Funded Projects by County and Year
- 2022 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2021 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2020 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2019 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2019 NWTF Grant Map of Locations
- 2018 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2018 NWTF Grant Map of Locations
- 2017 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2017 NWTF Grant Map of Locations
- 2016 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2015 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2014 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2013 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2012 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2011 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
- 2010 Noxious Weed Trust Fund (NWTF) Grant Awards
Cooperative Forestry Agreements
Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council Appointments
Name | City | Term End | Qualifications |
---|---|---|---|
|
MT Dept. of Agriculture P.O. Box 200201 Helena, MT 59620 |
Department Director & Council Chair | |
Jeanette Nordahl | PO Box 874 Lincoln, MT 59639 |
6/30/2022 | Recreationist / Wildlife Representative |
Joel Farkell | PO Box 284 Brady, MT 59416 |
6/30/2022 | Consumer Representative |
Ron McOwen |
6050 Sypes Canyon |
6/30/2022 | At-Large Representative |
Jeff Brennan | P.O. Box 501 Joliet, MT 59041 |
6/30/2023 | Ag Crop Production Representative |
Kellieann Morris | 329 Airport Road Stevensville, MT 59870 |
6/30/2023 | Western Montana Counties Representative |
Dana Weatherford | PO Box 795 Columbus, MT 59019 |
6/30/2023 | Livestock Production Representative |
Kenny Keever | 220 17th Ave Havre, MT 59501 |
6/30/2023 | Biological Research & Control Representative |
Brian Ostwald | PO Box 255 Joliet, MT 59041 |
6/30/2022 | Eastern Montana Counties Representative |
Karissa Floerchinger | 135 Carlson Rd Cascade, MT 59421 |
6/30/2023 | Herbicide Dealer & Applicator Representative |
Amber Burch | 2 S. Pacific Dillon, MT 59725 |
6/30/2022 | Montana Weed Control Association Representative |
Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council Agendas and Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 6-9, 2023 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 31, 2022 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 7-10, 2022 | Agenda | hrg Agenda
- NWMAC Meeting July 1, 2020 | Agenda | MSU Annual Report| Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 2-6, 2020 | Agenda | hrg Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 13, 2020 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting July 18, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 4-8, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 16, 2019 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting July 11-12, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 5-9, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 9, 2018 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 14-15, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting February 27 - March 2, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 19, 2017 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 28, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting February 29 - March 4, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 21, 2016 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 25, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 2-6, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 22, 2015 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 12, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 3-7, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 22, 2014 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 6, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting March 4-8, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 14, 2013 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 19, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting February 27 - Mach 2, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting January 9, 2012 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting October 20, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting June 22, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes
- NWMAC Meeting February 28 - March 3, 2011 | Agenda | Minutes
Noxious Weed Trust Fund: General Files and Resources
General Files
- Grant Guidelines
- Application for Noxious Weed Management Advisory Council Appointment
- Noxious Weed Trust Fund Important Dates & Information
- Noxious Weed Trust Fund Brochure
- Montana Noxious Weed Management Plan (Updated 2017)
- Current State Bid: Agricultural Chemicals
- Montana Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Program 2019 Summary
- User Guide for EDDMapS Pro (Updated 2020)
Contacts