Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Broadwater County
Broadwater County sits within the Central Rocky Mountains (MLRA 43B) region. Elevation averages about 3,828 feet.
Temperatures in Broadwater County range from a January mean low of 15°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.4 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Broadwater County ran 316 farms, 464,721 acres of farmland, and 10,584 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: wheat, corn, and sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | West-Central Montana |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Wheat, Corn, Sheep, Horses, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Broadwater County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
415 S Front St, Townsend, MT 59644
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 Broadwater County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 72% of farmland in Broadwater County, about 334,171 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in May. 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 Broadwater County
Farms in Broadwater County average 1,471 acres, and about 14% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 30,457 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Broadwater County
Broadwater County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, wheat, and corn. 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 Broadwater County Operations
Based on Broadwater County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation practices emphasize riparian management along the Missouri River and efficient irrigation water use. Programs support the transition of traditional ranching operations toward sustainable grazing systems and soil health improvement.
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 Gallatin County, Montana, Jefferson County, Montana, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, and Meagher County, Montana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Broadwater County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Montana guide: Montana Farm Programs Guide
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