Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Fallon County
Fallon County sits within the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 58A) region. Elevation averages about 3,030 feet.
Temperatures in Fallon County range from a January mean low of 7°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.5 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Fallon County ran 237 farms, 862,293 acres of farmland, and 24,067 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Barley, Sheep, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 15+ 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 Fallon County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
141 S 4th St W, Baker, MT 59313
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 Fallon County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 79% of farmland in Fallon County, about 678,614 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 Fallon County
Farms in Fallon County average 3,638 acres, and about 6% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,470 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Fallon County
Fallon 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 Fallon County Operations
Based on Fallon County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation and drought preparedness are central to agricultural support in this arid ranching region. Programs emphasize maintaining native prairie ecosystems while supporting sustainable livestock grazing operations.
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 Carter County, Montana, Custer County, Montana, Prairie County, Montana, Wibaux County, Montana, Bowman County, North Dakota, and Golden Valley County, North Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Fallon 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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