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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kidder County
Kidder County sits within the Central Dark Brown Glaciated Plains (MLRA 53B) region. Elevation averages about 1,733 feet.
Temperatures in Kidder County range from a January mean low of 0°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 19.2 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Kidder County ran 356 farms, 764,998 acres of farmland, and 21,377 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Vegetables, Barley |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Kidder County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
515 Highway 10 W, Steele, ND 58482
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 Kidder County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 32% of farmland in Kidder County, about 246,370 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in May. 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 Kidder County
Farms in Kidder County average 2,149 acres, and about 3% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 23,888 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Kidder County
Given the operation mix in Kidder 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 Kidder County Operations
Based on Kidder County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Waterfowl habitat conservation programs are extensively utilized given the prairie pothole landscape. Soil health practices focus on managing diverse terrain types.
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 Burleigh County, North Dakota, Emmons County, North Dakota, Logan County, North Dakota, Sheridan County, North Dakota, Stutsman County, North Dakota, and Wells County, North Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Kidder 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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