Grundy County, Illinois: USDA programs and conservation funding

437
Farms & Ranches
189K
Acres in Agriculture
432
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$381K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Grundy County, Illinois has 437 farms working 188,601 agricultural acres (average 432 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 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 Grundy County

Grundy County is part of the Northern Illinois and Indiana Heavy Till Plain land resource region (MLRA 110). The county's mean elevation is about 559 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Grundy County sees 37.7 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 50.8°F mean annual temperature.

Grundy County carries 385 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 548 acres. 437 farms operate in the county, averaging 432 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionNortheast Illinois
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry

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 Grundy County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

3605 North Route 47, Suite A, Morris, IL 60450

(815) 942-0359

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.


Programs for Grundy County Operations

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

Conservation programs emphasize maintaining soil health through cover crops and reduced tillage on prime farmland. Drainage management and precision agriculture techniques receive support to optimize production efficiency.

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 Grundy County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Kankakee County, Illinois, Kendall County, Illinois, LaSalle County, Illinois, Livingston County, Illinois, and Will County, Illinois. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Grundy 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 GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.32
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.93
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Grundy 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.