LaSalle County, Illinois: USDA programs and conservation funding

1,706
Farms & Ranches
604K
Acres in Agriculture
354
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$21.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

LaSalle County, Illinois has 1,706 farms working 603,762 agricultural acres (average 354 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $21.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About LaSalle County

LaSalle County lies in the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 476 feet.

LaSalle County averages 37.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.3°F.

LaSalle County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,706 farms working 603,762 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 3,110 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central Illinois
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Hogs

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 LaSalle County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

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

(815) 942-0359

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

1691 N 31st Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350

(815) 433-0551

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 LaSalle County Operations

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

Illinois River watershed conservation emphasizes nutrient management and establishing riparian buffers along waterways. Soil health programs promote cover crops and conservation practices on prime prairie farmland throughout the county.

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 LaSalle County

LaSalle County shares borders with Bureau County, Illinois, DeKalb County, Illinois, Grundy County, Illinois, Kendall County, Illinois, Lee County, Illinois, and Livingston County, Illinois. 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 LaSalle 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 FencingCRPEQIP Water DevelopmentCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.23
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.68
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for LaSalle 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.