Fremont County Weed and Pest offers cost-share opportunities
The 41st Annual Fremont County Farm and Ranch Days, held Feb. 5-6 at the Fremont County Fairgrounds in Riverton, offered a jam-packed schedule of educational programming and local agency updates.
During the morning session on the first day of the event, Fremont County Weed and Pest Director Aaron Foster provided information on the district’s 2025-29 Special Management Program, which includes three separate projects focused on six noxious weeds.
Foster noted Fremont County has had an established special management program since 1990, but more recently was able to capitalize on an opportunity to expand its scope to include more residents and add more species to the priority list.
Countywide program
The first project under Fremont County Weed and Pest’s 2025-29 Special Management Program is a countywide program in which any landowner impacted by leafy spurge, Russian knapweed, whitetop or houndstongue are eligible to enroll.
“Within this program, landowners are eligible for an 80 percent cost share on chemicals and equipment rentals to control these weeds,” Foster said. “And, new this year, we are offering a limited program where we are going to provide an application-based 80 percent cost share on equipment purchases for landowners who are willing to do the work themselves because we are stretched pretty thin.”
Foster further noted, “The goals of this program are to increase the availability and scope for cost-share opportunities, empower producers to do their own work and increase outreach regarding our programs. We feel like there may be a lack of understanding about our special management program to the greater county.”
“We also want to increase knowledge and stewardship on how to manage these weeds and how to apply herbicides effectively,” he added.
Other goals Foster outlined include increasing awareness and incentives for landowners to manage houndstongue, which is spreading rapidly throughout the county, and whitetop, which can be expensive to control, as well as continuing to incentivize years-long control of leafy spurge and Russian knapweed.
Focus-area project
The second program offered through Fremont County Weed and Pest is an 80 percent cost share on herbicides, equipment rentals, approved spray equipment purchases and labor services to encourage the containment of Dalmatian toadflax and baby’s breath within the focus areas of Lander and Ocean Lake.
Foster explained other goals of this program include decreasing the cover of these two species while increasing cover and composition of desirable vegetation and increasing outreach, stewardship and proper herbicide application.
Any areas outside of the designated focus areas are considered “high priority” and control efforts for Dalmatian toadflax and baby’s breath are free through the district.
Specific management zones
The third project includes control of leafy spurge, Russian knapweed and whitetop within specific management zones along Badwater Creek, Beaver Creek and the Sweetwater River.
Through this program, eligible landowners may receive 80 percent cost share on herbicides, equipment rentals, approved spray equipment purchases and labor services within the three management zones.
Foster noted goals of this project include incentivizing containment to the specified zones, increasing incentives for the maintenance and control of Russian knapweed and whitetop in these areas and increasing outreach, stewardship and proper herbicide application.
Cost-share program details
Following producer questions, Foster clarified how the cost-share programs will work.
“Right now, we are looking at $10,000 possibly, depending on how things shake out with our budget this next year,” he said. “It all depends on what the landowner is looking for. I think we’re open minded to anything.”
However, he noted the district will have to be deliberate when allocating money since $10,000 won’t go far on large equipment, especially if quite a few producers apply.
“If we don’t end up using the $10,000 and someone asks for a three-point hitch sprayer at $8,000, we’ll probably cost share,” he explained. “If 10 landowners want ATV sprayers at $2,000 each, we might have to allocate 80 percent cost share up to $1,000. For producers who already have a three-point sprayer, it might come down to wanting things like boomless nozzles.”
“We are just going to have to address it as it comes. We will have to see what kind of demand there is and how it all plays out,” he added.
As far as cost share on labor services go, Foster explained individuals can either hire someone through the Fremont County Weed and Pest District or use an independent contractor.
He noted, in order to keep track of dollars spent, those who hire within the district will be required to sign an agreement contract, while those who use an independent contractor will need to fill out a form and get it authorized by the district to have their money reimbursed.
He also pointed out, because the district is stretched thin, commercial contractors will likely be able to get work done quicker, which may better align with individual’s management goals.
Program applications
Those interested in applying for one of the projects outlined in the Fremont County Weed and Pest District’s 2025-29 Special Management Programs can get started by calling or visiting the office in person for a free consultation.
“We will help you come up with a plan and work with you and your applicator, even if you hire outside of the district,” Foster said. “We will get you signed up for the right program and help you enroll. Then it’s time to control those weeds.”
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
