The Treasure County Conservation District is a locally governed organization dedicated to conserving and improving the natural resources of Treasure County. Guided by a board of elected and appointed supervisors, we work directly with landowners, producers, agencies, and community members to address conservation challenges and opportunities.
Our district provides assistance with 310 permits, equipment rental programs, educational outreach, community projects, and conservation awareness initiatives. We believe that effective conservation starts with local involvement and practical solutions that benefit both people and the land.
As we continue to grow, we are expanding educational programs and developing new projects that promote habitat conservation, pollinator awareness, and community engagement throughout the county.
District Staff
Chairman
Bart Icopini grew up on a farm that his dad and grandpa built in the ‘50s. Born and raised in Hysham, Icopini dug right in, helping around the farm. He got an Ag Business degree in college before moving back home to put his degree to work. Being a crop-based farm, they have a plethora of different crops they produce; from sugar beets, corn, wheat, and safflower to name a few.
Icopini married his wife, Amber, and they share four children; Harper is 15, Morgan is 13, Nolan is 11, and Kaleb is 9. When he isn’t busy running the farm, he’s shuttling his kids around to different sports and activities. If the farm allows, they enjoy travelling as a family.
Icopini has the dedication and ability to see the potential in changing and adapting with new ideas. Treasure County Conservation District has been lucky to have him as their chairman.
Vice-Chairman
Stacey Ogren is the Vice-Chairman of the Treasure County Conservation District. He was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, then moved to Alberta, Canada at a very young age. Ogren’s mother and father are from ranches in Alberta and South Dakota, so he was exposed to agriculture right away. He has always wanted to be a rancher and has been very blessed to be able to pursue that passion for most of his life.
Ogren got involved in the Conservation District when Mike Gates stepped down as a board member. He was asked to join and has been here ever since. He and his wife operate her family’s ranch on Pease Bottom, running a small Ranch-To-Table beef business, and training and selling horses.
Ogren and his wife, Tiffany, have two children: Rylee, 16, and Colt, 12. When he isn’t busy running businesses, he enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and neighbors. He and his wife also love to teach breakaway roping clinics at various times of year. Ogren loves training horses with a big emphasis in the reined cowhorse events. His other hobbies include working stock dogs and Jiu-Jitsu with his children.
Treasurer/Secretary
Dan Story is a board member and the treasurer of Treasure County Conservation District. He grew up on a farm that was built on the hard work and dedication of Nelson Story in 1867. His life has revolved around agriculture ever since.
Dan and his wife, Susan, own and run DS Ag, a fertilizer and seed vendor; they focus on soil and plant health and fertility. He has always had a passion to coach producers on how to take care of the soil they plant in. When the Story’s aren’t busy with their day-to-day job, they like to travel around the world; the only stipulation Dan has is that he wants to meet a farmer wherever they go. Susan and Dan share 3 children between the two of them; Cody is 29 (Fun fact: He works for Coors managing grower contracts!), Kyle is 27 and working towards a bachelor’s degree, and Ian is 13, entering his 9th grade year.
Dan’s dedication and willingness for change has been an amazing addition to the Treasure County Conservation District.
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Board of Supervisors
- Bart Icopini-Chairman
- Stacey Ogren-Vice-Chairman
- Judi Knapp-Urban Supervisor
- Dan Story-Secretary/Treasurer
- Phil Fox-Supervisor
- Stark Ickes-Supervisor
- Larry Fox-Associate Supervisor
Supervisor
Stark Ickes has served on the Treasure County Conservation District board for 40 years and has held many officer positions at one time or another. A lifelong resident of Bighorn, Stark holds a wealth of knowledge about the Treasure County area and a strong desire to see this land thrive.
Since graduating from Hysham High School, Stark and his wife Naomi have lived on and expanded the family ranch, which was homesteaded by his grandfather in 1908. Over the years, they have developed and improved their commercial black Angus cattle herd, as well as the rangeland and dryland farm ground they steward. They, also, raised three children–one is a teacher who lives and works on the ranch, one who works in an ag supply store, and another who ranches with her husband in Rosebud County.
Stark enjoys background feeding calves in the winter and completing fall and spring work with his friends and neighbors. An avid reader and student of the market, he is always willing to share his love and knowledge of agriculture with anyone, but especially with young people. Though there is not much time for fun with all the work farming and ranching entails, Stark likes a good game of cribbage in the morning, sudoku, following his two grandchildren in their sports and 4-H pursuits, and an occasional relaxing soak in the Thermopolis hot springs.
Urban Supervisor
Judi Knapp is one of the appointed Urban Supervisors for the Treasure County Conservation District Board. She was raised on a diversified farm in east central North Dakota, so agriculture has been a part of her life from the start. While at North Dakota State she obtained a degree in Horticulture from the College of Ag. In 1976, Knapp and her husband bought his dad’s farm south of Melstone. Their children spent their summers on the farm with 4-H and FFA projects. Knapp’s daughter, Rebecca, now has over 30 years with NRCS, and their son Dana helps at the farm in the summers as much as he can. Her grandchildren even help if needed. With Knapp’s husband passing in 2017, she began to lease out the farming and grazing acres but continued to spend summers there and winters in Hysham. Having recently remarried, Knapp and her husband continue that pattern.
Knapp joined the conservation district world over 35 years ago. It has carried over into serving on the state board of directors (Montana Association of Conservation Districts) and the board of directors of the MT-WY Plant Materials Center in Bridger. Knapp also served on the Department of Natural Resources Conservation District Advisory Council for several years. This has all been a continual learning experience as well as an enjoyable one.
Her hobbies include birding, wildflower photography, fossil hunting, music, bridge, and travel. With so much experience in agriculture, the Treasure County Conservation District is lucky to have her experience and insight on the Board.
Supervisor
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
Tyla Keil, District Administrator
(208) 390-5952
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