← Illinois Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Effingham County
Effingham County is part of the Central Claypan Areas land resource region (MLRA 113). The county's mean elevation is about 568 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Effingham County sees 44.0 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 54.2°F mean annual temperature.
Effingham County carries 8,344 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 4,872 acres. 1,224 farms operate in the county, averaging 230 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Dairy, 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 Effingham County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2201 Willenborg St - Suite 10, Effingham, IL 62401
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 Effingham County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Effingham County greening up around April and peaking in August. The county carries about 4,872 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Effingham County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Effingham County at an average farm size of 230 acres, 23% small operations, 21% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 345 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Effingham County
Given the operation mix in Effingham 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 waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Effingham County Operations
Based on Effingham County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation tillage and soil health programs maintain productivity while addressing erosion concerns. Nutrient management and precision agriculture practices optimize fertilizer applications on productive 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Effingham County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Clay County, Illinois, Cumberland County, Illinois, Fayette County, Illinois, Jasper County, Illinois, and Shelby County, Illinois. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Effingham County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Illinois guide: Illinois Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.