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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cass County
Cass County sits within the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) region. Elevation averages about 629 feet.
Temperatures in Cass County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 38.4 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Cass County ran 395 farms, 156,808 acres of farmland, and 831 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Cass County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
930 E Laurel Ave, Havana, IL 62644
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
652 S Main St, Virginia, IL 62691
This county also has 2 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 Cass County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 3% of farmland in Cass County, about 4,013 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in July. 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 Cass County
Farms in Cass County average 397 acres, and about 17% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 21,093 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cass County
Cass County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Cass County Operations
Based on Cass County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Drainage management and tile systems optimize production potential on bottomland soils. Nutrient management programs address intensive fertilizer applications on high-yielding ground.
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 Brown County, Illinois, Mason County, Illinois, Menard County, Illinois, Morgan County, Illinois, Sangamon County, Illinois, and Schuyler County, Illinois. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cass County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Illinois guide: Illinois Farm Programs Guide
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