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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Crowley County
Elevation across Crowley County averages about 4,564 feet. The county falls within the Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains (MLRA 69) land resource region.
The growing season in Crowley County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 12.0 inches per year. January lows average around 15°F while July highs reach about 93°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 185 farms in Crowley County, operating across 290,733 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,572 acres. Top commodities include equine, equine, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Arkansas Valley |
| Top Commodities | Horses, Corn, Sheep, Goats, Poultry, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 16+ 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 Crowley County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
318 5th St, Hugo, CO 80821
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
200 S 10th St, Rocky Ford, CO 81067
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 Crowley County
The forage year in Crowley County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 228,189 acres of pastureland and 10,672 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Crowley County
About 25% of Crowley County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 12% of farms are small and 21% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 1,572 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Crowley County
Crowley County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were equine, equine, 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 Crowley County Operations
Based on Crowley County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water management along the Arkansas River and sustainable grazing practices are conservation priorities. Programs support efficient irrigation systems and help ranchers manage livestock operations in variable mountain climate 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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Crowley County: El Paso County, Colorado, Kiowa County, Colorado, Lincoln County, Colorado, Otero County, Colorado, and Pueblo County, Colorado. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Crowley County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Colorado guide: Colorado Farm Programs Guide
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