Carter County, Montana
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Located in the extreme southeast corner of Montana, characterized by badlands, rolling prairie, and the Little Missouri River drainage system. The landscape features colorful sedimentary rock formations, scattered buttes, and vast grasslands extending into North Dakota.
Extensive cattle ranching dominates the county, utilizing native shortgrass prairie and requiring large acreages due to the semi-arid climate. Limited dryland farming occurs in areas with suitable soils, primarily producing wheat and hay crops.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Sheep, Corn, Hogs |
| Farms & Ranches | ~85 (approx.) |
| Agricultural Land | ~1,680,000 acres |
| Average Farm Size | ~6,000 acres |
Find Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.
Find your Service Center:
Search for "Carter County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.
What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.
Programs for Carter County Operations
Based on Carter County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation and drought mitigation are central to agricultural support programs in this arid region. Emergency livestock feeding assistance and rangeland restoration projects help producers manage through periodic severe weather events.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.
We don't have Carter County's specific LWG priorities yet.
Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Carter County?"
Your Next Steps in Carter 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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