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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Meade County
Meade County lies in the Pierre Shale Plains (MLRA 60A) region. Elevation averages about 3,047 feet.
Meade County averages 18.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 46.5°F.
Meade County's agricultural base centers on cattle and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 797 farms working 2,217,742 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 73,809 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | West |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Horses, Sheep, Bison |
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 Meade County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
409 1st St W, Faith, SD 57626
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
2202 Main St, Sturgis, SD 57785
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Meade County
Meade County reported 73,809 head of cattle across roughly 1,721,790 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Meade County.
Farm Structure in Meade County
Meade County reports about 4,501 acres under irrigation. Farms average 2,783 acres, with about 10% classed as small operations. Around 21% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Meade County
Meade County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and wheat. 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 Meade County Operations
Based on Meade County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Range management and forest grazing practices are tailored to the diverse terrain and elevation differences. Water development projects and erosion control measures support sustainable livestock operations across varied landscape conditions.
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
Counties Bordering Meade County
Meade County shares borders with Butte County, South Dakota, Haakon County, South Dakota, Lawrence County, South Dakota, Pennington County, South Dakota, Perkins County, South Dakota, and Ziebach County, South Dakota. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Meade 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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