Dawson County, Montana
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Situated along the Yellowstone River with characteristic badlands, rolling prairie, and the dramatic bluffs of the Yellowstone valley. The county features colorful sedimentary rock formations, scattered pine hills, and vast grassland expanses typical of eastern Montana's mixed-grass prairie.
Irrigated farming along the Yellowstone River produces corn, sugar beets, and alfalfa, while dryland wheat farming and cattle ranching extend across the upland prairie areas. The county's agricultural diversity reflects both the productive irrigated valley and the extensive dryland farming potential.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Montana |
| Top Commodities | Wheat, Cattle & calves, Corn, Barley, Sheep, Soybeans |
| Farms & Ranches | ~240 (approx.) |
| Agricultural Land | ~1,180,000 acres |
| Average Farm Size | ~2,800 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 "Dawson 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 Dawson County Operations
Based on Dawson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation modernization and water conservation are key priorities along the Yellowstone River corridor. Dryland areas focus on soil health improvement through no-till practices and integration of livestock grazing with crop production.
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 Dawson County's specific LWG priorities yet.
Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Dawson County?"
Your Next Steps in Dawson 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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