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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kankakee County
Kankakee County lies in the Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana Drift Plains (MLRA 98) region. Elevation averages about 633 feet.
Kankakee County averages 39.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.9°F.
Kankakee County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 738 farms working 322,007 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 1,181 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Vegetables, Floriculture, Cattle & calves, Wheat |
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 Kankakee County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
685 Larry Power Rd, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
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.
Programs for Kankakee County Operations
Based on Kankakee County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs address both prairie agriculture and sensitive wetland areas along the Kankakee River system. Specialty crop production receives support for sustainable practices on unique organic soil types.
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 Kankakee County
Kankakee County shares borders with Ford County, Illinois, Grundy County, Illinois, Iroquois County, Illinois, Livingston County, Illinois, Will County, Illinois, and Lake 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 Kankakee 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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