Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County lies in the Central Rocky Mountains (MLRA 43B) region. Elevation averages about 5,427 feet.
Lewis and Clark County averages 22.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 184 days. Annual mean temperature is 41.2°F.
Lewis and Clark County's agricultural base centers on cattle, wheat, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 595 farms working 996,169 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 25,684 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | West-Central Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Lewis and Clark County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
790 Colleen St, Helena, MT 59601
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 Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County reported 25,684 head of cattle across roughly 761,405 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Lewis and Clark County.
Farm Structure in Lewis and Clark County
Irrigation covers about 5% of farmland in Lewis and Clark County, roughly 47,709 acres. Farms average 1,674 acres, with about 40% classed as small operations. Around 29% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark County Operations
Based on Lewis and Clark County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban interface management and water quality protection for the Missouri River are major conservation focuses. Programs support producers adapting to development pressures while maintaining viable agricultural operations near the growing Helena metropolitan area.
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
Counties Bordering Lewis and Clark County
Lewis and Clark County shares borders with Broadwater County, Montana, Cascade County, Montana, Flathead County, Montana, Jefferson County, Montana, Meagher County, Montana, and Powell County, Montana. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Lewis and Clark 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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