Clark County, Illinois: USDA programs and conservation funding

722
Farms & Ranches
249K
Acres in Agriculture
345
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Clark County, Illinois has 722 farms working 249,166 agricultural acres (average 345 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

← Illinois Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Clark County

Clark County is part of the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes land resource region (MLRA 115). The county's mean elevation is about 607 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Clark County sees 43.9 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 53.8°F mean annual temperature.

Clark County carries 1,239 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 3,752 acres. 722 farms operate in the county, averaging 345 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionEast Central Illinois
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Clark County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1001 N York St, Martinsville, IL 62442

(217) 382-4123

This county also has 3 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.


Programs for Clark County Operations

Based on Clark County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation tillage and residue management address soil erosion on gently rolling ground. Pasture improvement and livestock water system programs support integrated operations.

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 Clark County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Coles County, Illinois, Crawford County, Illinois, Cumberland County, Illinois, Edgar County, Illinois, Jasper County, Illinois, and Sullivan County, Indiana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Clark County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Illinois guide: Illinois Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.41
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.88
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Clark County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.