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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kiowa County
Elevation across Kiowa County averages about 3,979 feet. The county falls within the Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains (MLRA 69) land resource region.
The growing season in Kiowa County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 15.0 inches per year. January lows average around 17°F while July highs reach about 92°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 452 farms in Kiowa County, operating across 1,127,660 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 2,495 acres. Top commodities include wheat, sorghum, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Colorado |
| Top Commodities | Wheat, Grain sorghum, Corn, Horses, Sheep, Poultry |
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 Kiowa County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
409 E. Lowell, Eads, CO 81036
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 Kiowa County
The forage year in Kiowa County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 417,416 acres of pastureland and 12,257 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Kiowa County
About 33% of Kiowa County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 4% of farms are small and 33% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 2,495 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Kiowa County
Given the operation mix in Kiowa County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations, and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Kiowa County Operations
Based on Kiowa County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil conservation programs address wind erosion concerns on the exposed High Plains terrain. Water conservation initiatives focus on efficient irrigation technologies and aquifer protection given declining groundwater levels in the region.
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 Kiowa County: Bent County, Colorado, Cheyenne County, Colorado, Crowley County, Colorado, Lincoln County, Colorado, Otero County, Colorado, and Prowers County, Colorado. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Kiowa 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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