NE Montana is reliant on ag. Small grains, some pulse crops and cows. Farms continue to grow in size, as does the equipment used to farm and ranch. Less families, as old spreads are sold to spreads with younger owners. What was once the identity of a community (AKA local school) continue to suffer from low enrollment. A small school receives a dis-proportionally large amount of money for each student but that still doesn't offset the quality of the education offered. School boards are reluctant to see their school and community center disappear, so the students and taxpayers suffer. The end state is a small town ends up with a community center (school house) that the board was bribed to take off the taxpayer's hands. Long bus rides for the students that need to attend a bigger school, some 50 and 60 mile round trips for some.
Not a pretty picture but it's the price of progress, I guess.