Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Garfield County
Garfield County is part of the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part land resource region (MLRA 58A). The county's mean elevation is about 2,875 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Garfield County sees 14.2 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 44.4°F mean annual temperature.
Garfield County carries 34,173 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,898,375 acres. 238 farms operate in the county, averaging 9,770 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Sheep, Corn, Horses |
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 Garfield County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
307 Main St, Jordan, MT 59337
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 Garfield County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Garfield County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 1,898,375 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 Garfield County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Garfield County at an average farm size of 9,770 acres, 2% small operations, 28% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 3,410 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 Garfield County
Garfield 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 Garfield County Operations
Based on Garfield County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation and drought management are primary focuses in this extensive ranching region. Programs support maintaining native prairie ecosystems while helping producers implement rotational grazing and other sustainable range management practices.
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 Garfield County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Custer County, Montana, McCone County, Montana, Petroleum County, Montana, Phillips County, Montana, Prairie County, Montana, and Rosebud County, Montana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Garfield 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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