Bowman County, North Dakota: USDA programs and conservation funding

307
Farms & Ranches
741K
Acres in Agriculture
2,414
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$28.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Wheat, Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Bowman County, North Dakota has 307 farms working 740,954 agricultural acres (average 2,414 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $28.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Wheat, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Bowman County operations

With 307 farms averaging 2,414 acres, a grain and wheat commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jun at 0.61 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← North Dakota Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Bowman County

Bowman County is part of the Rolling Soft Shale Plain land resource region (MLRA 54). The county's mean elevation is about 2,997 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Bowman County sees 16.0 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 43.2°F mean annual temperature.

Bowman County carries 18,557 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 402,615 acres. 307 farms operate in the county, averaging 2,414 acres each.

Quick Facts
RegionSouthwest
Top CommoditiesWheat, Cattle & calves, Corn, Honey, Barley, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 7+ 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 Bowman County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

111 2nd Ave NW, Bowman, ND 58623

(701) 523-5531

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 Bowman County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Bowman County greening up around June and peaking in June. The county carries about 402,615 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.

Farm Structure in Bowman County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Bowman County at an average farm size of 2,414 acres, 2% small operations, 30% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 373 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.

What Tends to Fit in Bowman County

Given the operation mix in Bowman 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 Bowman County Operations

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

Drought mitigation and range improvement practices are priorities. Programs also address reclamation of lands affected by oil and gas development.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Bowman County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Fallon County, Montana, Adams County, North Dakota, Slope County, North Dakota, and Harding County, South Dakota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Bowman County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.23
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.61
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Bowman 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.