Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Big Horn County
Big Horn County sits within the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 58A) region. Elevation averages about 3,674 feet.
Temperatures in Big Horn County range from a January mean low of 13°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Big Horn County ran 364 farms, 3,191,315 acres of farmland, and 80,591 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and barley.
Quick Facts
| Region | South-Central Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Barley, Bison, Horses, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 18+ 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 Big Horn County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
8645 S. Weaver Dr. Student Union Bldg, Rm 205, Crow Agency, MT 59022
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
205 13th West Street, Hardin, MT 59034
This county also has 2 additional NRCS offices. View all offices
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 Big Horn County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 78% of farmland in Big Horn County, about 2,484,193 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 Big Horn County
Farms in Big Horn County average 8,767 acres, and about 8% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 41,818 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Big Horn County
With cattle and bison in the mix in Big Horn 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 Big Horn County Operations
Based on Big Horn County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation efficiency improvements and soil conservation practices are prioritized along the fertile river corridor. Programs emphasize supporting Native American producers and maintaining traditional agricultural practices within the reservation boundaries.
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 Carbon County, Montana, Powder River County, Montana, Rosebud County, Montana, Treasure County, Montana, Yellowstone County, Montana, and Big Horn County, Wyoming. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Big Horn County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Montana guide: Montana Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.