Slope County, North Dakota: USDA programs and conservation funding

197
Farms & Ranches
758K
Acres in Agriculture
3,846
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$21.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Wheat, Cattle, Grain, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Slope County, North Dakota has 197 farms working 757,635 agricultural acres (average 3,846 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $21.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Wheat, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Slope County operations

With 197 farms averaging 3,846 acres, a grain and wheat commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jun at 0.50 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← North Dakota Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Slope County

Slope County sits within the Rolling Soft Shale Plain (MLRA 54) region. Elevation averages about 2,783 feet.

Temperatures in Slope County range from a January mean low of 7°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 15.7 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.

Slope County ran 197 farms, 757,635 acres of farmland, and 13,463 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: wheat, cattle, and corn.

Quick Facts
RegionSouthwest
Top CommoditiesWheat, Cattle & calves, Corn, Barley, Soybeans, Horses

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 7+ 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 Slope County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

111 2nd Ave NW, Bowman, ND 58623

(701) 523-5531

This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices

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 Slope County

Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 60% of farmland in Slope County, about 453,118 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 Slope County

Farms in Slope County average 3,846 acres, and about 1% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up.

What Tends to Fit in Slope County

Slope County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, wheat, and cattle. 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 Slope County Operations

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

Little Missouri River watershed conservation emphasizes riparian restoration and erosion control on steep terrain through CREP enrollment. Extensive ranch operations utilize EQIP for livestock water development and range improvements across challenging topography.

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 Fallon County, Montana, Adams County, North Dakota, Billings County, North Dakota, Bowman County, North Dakota, Golden Valley County, North Dakota, and Hettinger County, North Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Slope 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 FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush Management

Vegetation Baseline

0.30
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.50
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Slope 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.