Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Prairie County
Elevation across Prairie County averages about 2,554 feet. The county falls within the Northern Rolling High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 58A) land resource region.
The growing season in Prairie County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 13.9 inches per year. January lows average around 7°F while July highs reach about 86°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 141 farms in Prairie County, operating across 590,631 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 4,189 acres. Top commodities include cattle, corn, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Montana |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Barley, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Prairie County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
410 E Spring St, Terry, MT 59349
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 Prairie County Operations
Based on Prairie County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CRP enrollment provides critical soil erosion protection and wildlife habitat in this semi-arid farming region. EQIP supports flexible crop-livestock systems and drought management strategies for large-scale operations.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.
Prairie County Conservation Priorities
Prairie County is cow-calf and crop-livestock country along the Yellowstone River corridor, with large operations running cattle on native range and dryland grain. Conservation priorities focus on rangeland health and drought resilience:
- Livestock water development: Wells, solar-powered pumps, pipelines, and tanks that improve cattle distribution across large pastures and reduce pressure on the Yellowstone and its tributaries.
- Sage-grouse habitat: Eastern Montana is sage-grouse range. NRCS may offer dedicated EQIP funding pools for practices that benefit sage-grouse, including sagebrush conservation, juniper removal, and wildlife-friendly fencing.
- Prescribed grazing: Rotational systems that match stocking rates to forage availability in a variable-precipitation environment.
- Range seeding: Re-establishing native grasses on degraded rangeland or expired CRP ground.
- Noxious weed management: Leafy spurge and knapweed control on rangeland acres.
Insurance note: Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) can help cow-calf operations manage price risk on feeder cattle. PRF insurance is designed for this kind of rangeland. It may provide indemnity payments when rainfall index drops below the trigger in your grid.
Confirm current priorities with your local NRCS office. Annual LWG meetings are open to all producers.
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Prairie County: Custer County, Montana, Dawson County, Montana, Fallon County, Montana, Garfield County, Montana, McCone County, Montana, and Wibaux County, Montana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Prairie 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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