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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Phillips County
Phillips County lies in the Central High Tableland (MLRA 72) region. Elevation averages about 3,774 feet.
Phillips County averages 17.8 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.4°F.
Phillips County's agricultural base centers on corn and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 352 farms working 440,076 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 3,183 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Colorado |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Wheat, Poultry |
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 Phillips County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1280 SW Interocean Dr, Holyoke, CO 80734
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 Phillips County
Phillips County reported 3,183 head of cattle across roughly 40,165 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a May 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 Phillips County.
Farm Structure in Phillips County
Irrigation covers about 18% of farmland in Phillips County, roughly 81,066 acres. Farms average 1,250 acres, with about 9% classed as small operations. Around 26% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Phillips County
With corn and grain in the mix in Phillips 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 Phillips County Operations
Based on Phillips County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation tillage practices are promoted to prevent soil erosion and maintain soil moisture in this dryland farming region. Grassland conservation programs protect native prairie while supporting sustainable grazing management across extensive ranch lands.
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 Phillips County
Phillips County shares borders with Logan County, Colorado, Sedgwick County, Colorado, Yuma County, Colorado, Chase County, Nebraska, and Perkins County, Nebraska. 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 Phillips 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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