Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Phillips County
Elevation across Phillips County averages about 2,524 feet. The county falls within the Brown Glaciated Plains (MLRA 52) land resource region.
The growing season in Phillips County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 13.5 inches per year. January lows average around 6°F while July highs reach about 85°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 377 farms in Phillips County, operating across 1,874,160 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 4,971 acres. Top commodities include cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Barley, Hogs, 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 Phillips County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1120 Us Hwy 191 S., Malta, MT 59538
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 Phillips County
The forage year in Phillips County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 1,426,606 acres of pastureland and 70,400 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Phillips County
About 25% of Phillips County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 4% of farms are small and 37% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 4,971 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Phillips County
Given the operation mix in Phillips County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Phillips County Operations
Based on Phillips County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CRP contracts protect highly erodible soils and provide wildlife habitat across extensive dryland farming areas. EQIP supports crop rotation systems including pulse crops and conservation tillage practices adapted to semi-arid conditions.
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 Phillips County: Blaine County, Montana, Fergus County, Montana, Garfield County, Montana, Petroleum County, Montana, and Valley County, Montana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Phillips 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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