Bennett County, South Dakota: USDA programs and conservation funding

214
Farms & Ranches
648K
Acres in Agriculture
3,030
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$40.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Grain, Corn, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Bennett County, South Dakota has 214 farms working 648,492 agricultural acres (average 3,030 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $40.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Bennett County operations

With 214 farms averaging 3,030 acres, a cattle and grain commodity base, vegetation peaking near May at 0.62 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← South Dakota Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Bennett County

Bennett County is part of the Mixed Sandy and Silty Tableland and Badlands land resource region (MLRA 64). The county's mean elevation is about 3,245 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Bennett County sees 21.1 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 47.4°F mean annual temperature.

Bennett County carries 47,898 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 443,238 acres. 214 farms operate in the county, averaging 3,030 acres each.

Quick Facts
RegionSouthwest
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Soybeans, Horses, Grain sorghum

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 20+ 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 Bennett County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

706 W Bennett Ave, Martin, SD 57551

(605) 685-1239

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 Bennett County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Bennett County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 443,238 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 Bennett County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Bennett County at an average farm size of 3,030 acres, 4% small operations, 15% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 4,400 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 Bennett County

Given the operation mix in Bennett 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 Bennett County Operations

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

Conservation efforts focus on rangeland health and erosion control in fragile badlands areas. LFP provides crucial support during frequent drought conditions that affect grazing capacity.

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 Bennett County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cherry County, Nebraska, Jackson County, South Dakota, Mellette County, South Dakota, and Todd County, South Dakota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Bennett County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the South Dakota guide: South Dakota Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentEQIP Brush ManagementCRPEQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.31
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.62
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Bennett 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.