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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Elbert County
Elbert County sits within the Southern Rocky Mountain Foothills (MLRA 49) region. Elevation averages about 5,998 feet.
Temperatures in Elbert County range from a January mean low of 14°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 17.3 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Elbert County ran 1,714 farms, 929,434 acres of farmland, and 34,762 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Front Range |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Horses, Grain sorghum, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 12+ 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 Elbert County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
133 W Bijou Ave, Byers, CO 80103
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
504 Washington St, Simla, CO 80835
This county also has 3 additional NRCS offices. 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 Elbert County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 80% of farmland in Elbert County, about 740,876 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 Elbert County
Farms in Elbert County average 542 acres, and about 29% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,795 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Elbert County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Elbert County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Elbert County Operations
Based on Elbert County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation and sustainable grazing management are primary conservation focuses. Programs support ranching operations while maintaining wildlife habitat and preventing conversion of agricultural lands to development.
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 Arapahoe County, Colorado, Douglas County, Colorado, El Paso County, Colorado, and Lincoln County, Colorado. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Elbert 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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