← South Dakota Farm Programs Guide

Custer County, South Dakota

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

Custer County encompasses diverse Black Hills terrain from high elevation ponderosa pine forests to mountain meadows and valleys. The landscape includes parts of Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and extensive national forest lands with dramatic elevation changes.

Agriculture consists primarily of cattle ranching utilizing mountain meadows, forest grazing, and valley pastures for seasonal livestock operations. Limited hay production in valley bottoms supports winter feeding with most grazing occurring on forest allotments and mountain pastures.

Quick Facts
RegionSouthwest
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Bison, Horses, Floriculture, Vegetables, Goats
Farms & Ranches~120 (approx.)
Agricultural Land~650,000 acres
Average Farm Size~1,600 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "Custer County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for Custer County Operations

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

Conservation programs emphasize sustainable grazing management in sensitive mountain ecosystems and riparian area protection. EQIP supports infrastructure for rotational grazing systems that protect forest health and water quality.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have Custer County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Custer County?"

Your Next Steps in Custer 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

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