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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Barnes County
Barnes County sits within the Central Black Glaciated Plains (MLRA 55B) region. Elevation averages about 1,440 feet.
Temperatures in Barnes County range from a January mean low of 0°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 21.7 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Barnes County ran 739 farms, 899,654 acres of farmland, and 4,138 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Horses, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 5+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Barnes County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
110 Wintershow Road, SW, Valley City, ND 58072
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 Barnes County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Barnes County, about 84,118 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in July. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Barnes County
Farms in Barnes County average 1,217 acres, and about 5% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,343 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Barnes County
Given the operation mix in Barnes 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 Barnes County Operations
Based on Barnes County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Emphasis on drainage management and precision agriculture practices. Conservation programs focus on protecting wetlands while maximizing crop production.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Cass County, North Dakota, Griggs County, North Dakota, LaMoure County, North Dakota, Ransom County, North Dakota, Steele County, North Dakota, and Stutsman County, North Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Barnes County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the North Dakota guide: North Dakota Farm Programs Guide
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