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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Beltrami County
Beltrami County sits within the Northern Minnesota Glacial Lake Basins (MLRA 88) region. Elevation averages about 1,221 feet.
Temperatures in Beltrami County range from a January mean low of -4°F to a July mean high near 79°F. Annual precipitation averages 24.6 inches. Expect about 184 frost-free days.
Beltrami County ran 608 farms, 173,158 acres of farmland, and 9,629 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Wheat, Corn, Vegetables, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 13+ 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 Beltrami County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3217 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601
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 Beltrami County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 23% of farmland in Beltrami County, about 39,384 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. 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 Beltrami County
Farms in Beltrami County average 285 acres, and about 13% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 4,050 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Beltrami County
Beltrami County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, cattle, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Beltrami County Operations
Based on Beltrami County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs emphasize wetland conservation and grassland restoration on marginal agricultural lands. Livestock forage programs support grazing systems adapted to northern climate conditions and seasonal flooding.
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 Cass County, Minnesota, Clearwater County, Minnesota, Hubbard County, Minnesota, Itasca County, Minnesota, Koochiching County, Minnesota, and Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Beltrami County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Minnesota guide: Minnesota Farm Programs Guide
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