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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clearwater County
Clearwater County sits within the Northern Minnesota Gray Drift (MLRA 57) region. Elevation averages about 1,483 feet.
Temperatures in Clearwater County range from a January mean low of -3°F to a July mean high near 79°F. Annual precipitation averages 24.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Clearwater County ran 404 farms, 159,856 acres of farmland, and 8,731 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Soybeans, Corn, Horses, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 6+ 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 Clearwater County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
312 Main Ave N, Bagley, MN 56621
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 Clearwater County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 27% of farmland in Clearwater County, about 43,127 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 Clearwater County
Farms in Clearwater County average 396 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 6,958 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Clearwater County
With cattle and soybeans in the mix in Clearwater County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Clearwater County Operations
Based on Clearwater County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize grassland restoration and wildlife habitat improvement on marginal agricultural lands. CRP enrollments are extensive due to sandy soils that are better suited for grassland than intensive crop production.
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 Becker County, Minnesota, Beltrami County, Minnesota, Hubbard County, Minnesota, Mahnomen County, Minnesota, Pennington County, Minnesota, and Polk County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Clearwater 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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