Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bear Lake County
Bear Lake County sits within the Eastern Idaho Plateaus (MLRA 13) region. Elevation averages about 5,926 feet.
Temperatures in Bear Lake County range from a January mean low of 11°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 22.0 inches. Expect about 184 frost-free days.
Bear Lake County ran 353 farms, 209,678 acres of farmland, and 8,644 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Idaho |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Wheat, Vegetables, Goats, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 20+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Bear Lake County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
785 N 4th St, Montpelier, ID 83254
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Bear Lake County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 59% of farmland in Bear Lake County, about 124,150 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Bear Lake County
Farms in Bear Lake County average 594 acres, and about 18% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 44,212 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Bear Lake County
Bear Lake County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and wheat. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Bear Lake County Operations
Based on Bear Lake County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
High elevation results in frequent late spring and early fall frost events requiring specialized EQIP practices for season extension. LFP provides essential support for sheep operations grazing summer range in adjacent national forests.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Caribou County, Idaho, Franklin County, Idaho, Cache County, Utah, Rich County, Utah, and Lincoln County, Wyoming. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Bear Lake County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Idaho guide: Idaho Farm Programs Guide
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