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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Dunn County
Dunn County sits within the Rolling Soft Shale Plain (MLRA 54) region. Elevation averages about 2,209 feet.
Temperatures in Dunn County range from a January mean low of 4°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 17.3 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Dunn County ran 500 farms, 1,118,382 acres of farmland, and 39,403 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Horses, Honey, Barley |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). 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 Dunn County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
105 Rodeo Dr, Killdeer, ND 58640
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 Dunn County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 60% of farmland in Dunn County, about 674,718 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Dunn County
Farms in Dunn County average 2,237 acres, and about 6% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 117 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Dunn County
Given the operation mix in Dunn 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 Dunn County Operations
Based on Dunn County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Range management and erosion control are priorities given the varied terrain. Programs also help farmers adapt to infrastructure changes from oil 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Billings County, North Dakota, McKenzie County, North Dakota, McLean County, North Dakota, Mercer County, North Dakota, Mountrail County, North Dakota, and Stark County, North Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Dunn 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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