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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Custer County
Custer County sits within the Black Hills (MLRA 62) region. Elevation averages about 4,744 feet.
Temperatures in Custer County range from a January mean low of 14°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 19.2 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Custer County ran 399 farms, 651,850 acres of farmland, and 12,395 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, bison, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Bison, Horses, Floriculture, Vegetables, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). 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 Custer County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
339 S Chicago St, Hot Springs, SD 57747
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 Custer County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 78% of farmland in Custer County, about 506,909 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in July. 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 Custer County
Farms in Custer County average 1,634 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,194 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Custer County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Custer County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
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. 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 Fall River County, South Dakota, Pennington County, South Dakota, Niobrara County, Wyoming, and Weston County, Wyoming. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Custer County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the South Dakota guide: South Dakota Farm Programs Guide
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