Pembina County, North Dakota: USDA programs and conservation funding

482
Farms & Ranches
617K
Acres in Agriculture
1,280
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$9.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Wheat, Grain, Soybeans, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Pembina County, North Dakota has 482 farms working 616,835 agricultural acres (average 1,280 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $9.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Wheat, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Pembina County

Pembina County lies in the Glacial Lake Agassiz, Red River Valley (MLRA 56A) region. Elevation averages about 856 feet.

Pembina County averages 21.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 39.3°F.

Pembina County's agricultural base centers on wheat, soybeans, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 482 farms working 616,835 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 3,376 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNortheast
Top CommoditiesWheat, Vegetables, Soybeans, Corn, Cattle & calves, Barley

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Pembina County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

600 Division Ave S, Cavalier, ND 58220

(701) 265-4333

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.


Programs for Pembina County Operations

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

Sugar beet and potato production requires specialized conservation practices for soil and water management including precision agriculture technologies. Beginning farmer programs support transition into high-investment specialty crop operations.

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

Counties Bordering Pembina County

Pembina County shares borders with Kittson County, Minnesota, Marshall County, Minnesota, Cavalier County, North Dakota, and Walsh County, North Dakota. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Pembina 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 FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.12
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.73
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Pembina 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.