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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Haakon County
Haakon County sits within the Northern Rolling Pierre Shale Plains (MLRA 63A) region. Elevation averages about 2,492 feet.
Temperatures in Haakon County range from a January mean low of 10°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 18.3 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Haakon County ran 291 farms, 1,151,771 acres of farmland, and 31,702 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Grain sorghum, Sheep, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Haakon County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
409 N Wray Av, Philip, SD 57567
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 Haakon County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 65% of farmland in Haakon County, about 750,191 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Haakon County
Farms in Haakon County average 3,958 acres, and about 1% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up.
What Tends to Fit in Haakon County
Haakon County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, cattle, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Haakon County Operations
Based on Haakon County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP provides critical support for maintaining native grassland ecosystems and improving grazing management practices. Range improvement projects through EQIP focus on water development and fencing for rotational grazing systems.
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 Dewey County, South Dakota, Jackson County, South Dakota, Jones County, South Dakota, Meade County, South Dakota, Pennington County, South Dakota, and Stanley County, South Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Haakon 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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