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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Grant County
Grant County is part of the Rolling Soft Shale Plain land resource region (MLRA 54). The county's mean elevation is about 2,346 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Grant County sees 17.7 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 42.7°F mean annual temperature.
Grant County carries 55,171 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 583,911 acres. 450 farms operate in the county, averaging 2,351 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, Barley, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 6+ 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 Grant County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
103 Dakota Street N, Carson, ND 58529
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 Grant County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Grant County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 583,911 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 Grant County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Grant County at an average farm size of 2,351 acres, 4% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 2,793 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 Grant County
Grant County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, cattle, and wheat. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Grant County Operations
Based on Grant County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil erosion control and grassland conservation are priorities on the rolling landscape. Drought management practices help cope with variable precipitation.
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 Grant County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Adams County, North Dakota, Hettinger County, North Dakota, Morton County, North Dakota, Sioux County, North Dakota, and Stark County, North Dakota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Grant 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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