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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lincoln County
Lincoln County lies in the Central High Plains, Southern Part (MLRA 67B) region. Elevation averages about 5,175 feet.
Lincoln County averages 14.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.1°F.
Lincoln County's agricultural base centers on cattle, wheat, and sorghum. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 505 farms working 1,598,737 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 22,221 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Colorado |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Corn, Horses, Goats |
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 Lincoln County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
318 5th St, Hugo, CO 80821
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 Lincoln County
Lincoln County reported 22,221 head of cattle across roughly 968,454 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows July green-up and a August 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 Lincoln County.
Farm Structure in Lincoln County
Lincoln County reports about 5,376 acres under irrigation. Farms average 3,166 acres, with about 5% classed as small operations. Around 29% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Lincoln County
Given the operation mix in Lincoln County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. 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 Lincoln County Operations
Based on Lincoln County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil conservation practices emphasize no-till and conservation tillage to prevent wind erosion on the exposed High Plains. Drought resilience programs help producers manage climatic variability and maintain sustainable farming operations in this semi-arid 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
Counties Bordering Lincoln County
Lincoln County shares borders with Arapahoe County, Colorado, Cheyenne County, Colorado, Crowley County, Colorado, Elbert County, Colorado, El Paso County, Colorado, and Kiowa County, Colorado. 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 Lincoln 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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