Faulk County, South Dakota: USDA programs and conservation funding

285
Farms & Ranches
626K
Acres in Agriculture
2,197
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$42.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle, Hogs
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Faulk County, South Dakota has 285 farms working 626,281 agricultural acres (average 2,197 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $42.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Faulk County

Elevation across Faulk County averages about 1,612 feet. The county falls within the Central Dark Brown Glaciated Plains (MLRA 53B) land resource region.

The growing season in Faulk County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 21.1 inches per year. January lows average around 5°F while July highs reach about 84°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 285 farms in Faulk County, operating across 626,281 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 2,197 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Wheat, Grain sorghum

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Faulk County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

110 8th Ave N, Faulkton, SD 57438

(605) 598-6237

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 Faulk County Operations

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

Programs support crop diversification strategies to manage weather variability in the transition climate zone. Conservation efforts focus on soil health improvement and wetland protection in the prairie pothole landscape.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Faulk County: Brown County, South Dakota, Edmunds County, South Dakota, Hand County, South Dakota, Hyde County, South Dakota, Potter County, South Dakota, and Spink County, South Dakota. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Faulk 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

CRPCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.19
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.79
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Faulk 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.