Glacier County, Montana: USDA programs and conservation funding

361
Farms & Ranches
1.1M
Acres in Agriculture
3,090
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$31.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Cattle, Wheat, Barley, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Glacier County, Montana has 361 farms working 1,115,475 agricultural acres (average 3,090 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $31.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Cattle, Wheat. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Glacier County

Elevation across Glacier County averages about 4,365 feet. The county falls within the Northern and Central Rocky Mountain Foothills (MLRA 46) land resource region.

The growing season in Glacier County spans roughly 184 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 24.1 inches per year. January lows average around 13°F while July highs reach about 75°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 361 farms in Glacier County, operating across 1,115,475 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 3,090 acres. Top commodities include cattle, wheat, and barley.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthwest Montana
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Wheat, Barley, Poultry, Hogs, Dairy

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 29+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Glacier County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

Blackfeet Tribal Bldg, Government Sq, Browning, MT 59417

(406) 338-3153

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

#1 Third Street NE, Cut Bank, MT 59427

(406) 873-4292

This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices

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.


Programs for Glacier County Operations

Based on Glacier County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Wildlife habitat conservation and predator conflict mitigation are major concerns due to proximity to Glacier National Park ecosystem. Programs support Native American agricultural producers and emphasize practices compatible with wildlife conservation along the Rocky Mountain Front.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Glacier County: Flathead County, Montana, Pondera County, Montana, and Toole County, Montana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Glacier County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Montana guide: Montana Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Vegetation Baseline

0.23
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.42
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Glacier County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.