Specialists from the ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology are available to help farmers and ranchers apply for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2. The CFAP2 program has almost $14 billion available to help almost every form of agriculture business impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Montana Army National Guard has been helping to cover pandemic related staffing shortages at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge. As of Nov. 15, the Montana Department of Corrections reports 136 staff members and 323 inmates have tested positive for the virus at the prison. Guard members had their tours of duty extended, as dozens of staff members at the prison are quarantined due to COVID-19.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a public hearing via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m., to consider the proposed adoption, amendment and repeal of rules pertaining to field trial regulations, game bird dog training and game bird farms. The 2019 legislature enacted House Bill 29, which changed the legal requirements for certain activities relating to field trials and the training

U.S. Senator Jon Tester continued his push to break the partisan logjam over the next round of coronavirus stimulus funding for Montana workers and small businesses in a letter to Senate leadership this week. “I am hearing directly from Montana families, business owners, school administrators and medical professionals that the devastating effects of this pandemic are getting worse,” wrote

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will offer the last online wolf trapping certification class of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. To register for the free class, please visit the FWP website at http://fwp.mt.gov and follow the links to “Education” and “Wolf Trapper Education & Certification.” Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, FWP will offer no in-person

Attorney General Tim Fox and Montana Lottery Director Angela Wong cautioned Montanans today about lottery- related scams that have become increasingly prevalent and urged them to be vigilant. “These scams can really impact your finances and cost you tens of thousands of dollars,” Attorney General Tim Fox said. “Scammers prey upon people who live alone, and since the pandemic has led to