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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Grant County
Grant County sits within the Prairie Coteau (MLRA 102D) region. Elevation averages about 1,291 feet.
Temperatures in Grant County range from a January mean low of 3°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 25.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Grant County ran 574 farms, 387,088 acres of farmland, and 35,998 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, milk, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Hogs, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Grant County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1102 S Dakota St, Milbank, SD 57252
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 Grant County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 27% of farmland in Grant County, about 103,545 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in August. 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 Grant County
Farms in Grant County average 674 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 32% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,927 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Grant County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Grant County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Grant County Operations
Based on Grant County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs emphasize water quality protection around the county's lake systems and precision agriculture adoption. Strong participation in conservation practices reflects the county's commitment to sustainable intensive agriculture.
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 Big Stone County, Minnesota, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, Codington County, South Dakota, Day County, South Dakota, Deuel County, South Dakota, and Roberts County, South Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Grant 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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