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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hancock County
Hancock County is part of the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes land resource region (MLRA 115). The county's mean elevation is about 695 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Hancock County sees 39.5 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 52.3°F mean annual temperature.
Hancock County carries 8,743 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 18,615 acres. 1,080 farms operate in the county, averaging 386 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Barley |
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 Hancock County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
102 Buchanan St, Carthage, IL 62321
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. 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 Hancock County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Hancock County greening up around June and peaking in July. The county carries about 18,615 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 Hancock County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Hancock County at an average farm size of 386 acres, 16% small operations, 27% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 4,278 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 Hancock County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Hancock County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Hancock County Operations
Based on Hancock County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Mississippi River watershed protection through nutrient management and buffer strips is a primary conservation focus. Wetland restoration programs help manage seasonal flooding while providing wildlife habitat benefits.
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 Hancock County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Adams County, Illinois, Henderson County, Illinois, McDonough County, Illinois, Schuyler County, Illinois, Lee County, Iowa, and Clark County, Missouri. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Hancock 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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