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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kit Carson County
Kit Carson County is part of the Central High Plains, Southern Part land resource region (MLRA 67B). The county's mean elevation is about 4,408 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Kit Carson County sees 17.4 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 51.3°F mean annual temperature.
Kit Carson County carries 34,622 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 453,623 acres. 559 farms operate in the county, averaging 2,462 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Colorado |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Goats |
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 Kit Carson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
138 S 14th St, Burlington, CO 80807
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 Kit Carson County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Kit Carson County greening up around April and peaking in August. The county carries about 453,623 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Kit Carson County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Kit Carson County at an average farm size of 2,462 acres, 4% small operations, 30% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 84,681 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Kit Carson County
With corn and grain in the mix in Kit Carson County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Kit Carson County Operations
Based on Kit Carson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation water management programs help optimize limited water resources from the South Platte River and groundwater sources. Conservation tillage and crop rotation practices are promoted to maintain soil health and reduce erosion on the expansive farmlands.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Kit Carson County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cheyenne County, Colorado, Lincoln County, Colorado, Washington County, Colorado, Yuma County, Colorado, Cheyenne County, Kansas, and Sherman County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Kit Carson 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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