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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Oliver County
Oliver County sits within the Rolling Soft Shale Plain (MLRA 54) region. Elevation averages about 2,113 feet.
Temperatures in Oliver County range from a January mean low of 3°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 17.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Oliver County ran 215 farms, 419,606 acres of farmland, and 17,360 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, Soybeans, Barley, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 4+ 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 Oliver County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
345 Center Ave S, Center, ND 58530
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 Oliver County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 59% of farmland in Oliver County, about 247,128 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 Oliver County
Farms in Oliver County average 1,952 acres, and about 9% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 4,793 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Oliver County
Given the operation mix in Oliver 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 Oliver County Operations
Based on Oliver County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Mine land reclamation incorporates agricultural uses with technical assistance for establishing productive grasslands and cropland. Lake Sakakawea proximity provides opportunities for irrigation development and livestock water systems.
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, McLean County, North Dakota, Mercer County, North Dakota, and Morton County, North Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Oliver 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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