Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Carter County
Carter County is part of the Pierre Shale Plains, Northern Part land resource region (MLRA 60B). The county's mean elevation is about 3,402 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Carter County sees 16.1 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 44.2°F mean annual temperature.
Carter County carries 49,118 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,452,624 acres. 282 farms operate in the county, averaging 5,967 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Sheep, Corn, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 16+ 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 Carter County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
308 S Mormon Ave, Ekalaka, MT 59324
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 Carter County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Carter County greening up around May and peaking in May. The county carries about 1,452,624 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Carter County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Carter County at an average farm size of 5,967 acres, 4% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 2,256 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Carter County
Carter County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and wheat. 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 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. 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Carter County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Custer County, Montana, Fallon County, Montana, Powder River County, Montana, Butte County, South Dakota, Harding County, South Dakota, and Crook County, Wyoming. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
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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