Success Stories

GREATFALLS, Mont., Oct. 27, 2024 – At the heart of Montana’s rural communities, USDA Rural Development, Montana is empowering individuals and families to transform their lives through programs like the Self-Help Housing 502 Direct Home Ownership Program. One such success story… [Read More]

For Andrew Michael Cochran, home is more than just a place—it’s a legacy. At just 23 years old, Andrew made the decision to build his own home through USDA Rural Development’s Mutual Self Help Program, following in the footsteps of his parents, who had done the same when he was… [Read More]

From the planes in the sky to the work done on your vehicles, various tools are required for these services. Many of these tools require calibration, a process where a tool is tested and adjusted to ensure accurate measurements. In 2012, PinnaCal opened their doors as the only… [Read More]

The Majestic, a senior living facility, lives up to its name as a large farmhouse styled home surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountains. In the rural landscape of Corvallis, Montana, residents maintain a rural lifestyle while receiving the assistance and care they need. Brandon… [Read More]

After the closure of two grocery stores in Butte, Montana, community leaders grew increasingly concerned about the limited availability of fresh and local food. In 2021, a group of these leaders initiated the Butte Food Co-Op, with the goal of better connecting the community to… [Read More]

When walking down main street in Anaconda, Montana, it’s easy to find The Bighorn Bottle Shop and Wine Bar. What used to be a run-down building is now an influential part of the community. The brick-and-mortar storefront offers wine and beer selections from across the world. “… [Read More]

Since 1997 Town & Country Supply Association merged with two other cooperatives to provide high quality fertilizer products and on-site services at competitive prices to Montana’s farmers and ranchers. The rural community of Lockwood, Montana, is home to Town & Country’s… [Read More]

In southwestern Fallon County near Ismay, a long, gravel road crisscrosses a landscape reminiscent of the Badlands. Twenty miles down the road through a beautiful valley brings one to Crescent Cross Ranch, home to a fourth generation Montana ranching family, the Lanes. … [Read More]

Farmer’s Union Oil Company of Circle and Terry is a farm and ranch supply cooperative that started in 1930. It serves member owners with products such as fuel, propane, fertilizer, and tires. In early 2023, Farmer’s Union Oil finished construction on a new, larger-capacity… [Read More]

In the shadow of central Montana’s Crazy Mountains sits Wilsall, a picturesque community of 200 rural residents who – with a little help from USDA Rural Development – now have a safe, reliable water supply. Nearly six years ago, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (… [Read More]