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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Crawford County
Crawford County lies in the Central Claypan Areas (MLRA 113) region. Elevation averages about 538 feet.
Crawford County averages 45.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 54.6°F.
Crawford County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 607 farms working 234,709 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 673 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Crawford County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1001 N York St, Martinsville, IL 62442
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1212 N Allen St, Robinson, IL 62454
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.
Forage and Grazing in Crawford County
Crawford County reported 673 head of cattle across roughly 2,652 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a July 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 Crawford County.
Farm Structure in Crawford County
Irrigation covers about 8% of farmland in Crawford County, roughly 19,211 acres. Farms average 387 acres, with about 28% classed as small operations. Around 21% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Crawford County
Given the operation mix in Crawford 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 Crawford County Operations
Based on Crawford County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil conservation and water quality programs address runoff concerns from varied topography. Pasture improvement and livestock water system initiatives support cattle 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
Counties Bordering Crawford County
Crawford County shares borders with Clark County, Illinois, Jasper County, Illinois, Lawrence County, Illinois, Richland County, Illinois, Knox County, Indiana, and Sullivan County, Indiana. 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 Crawford 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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