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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Massac County
Massac County sits within the Southern Mississippi Valley Loess (MLRA 134) region. Elevation averages about 369 feet.
Temperatures in Massac County range from a January mean low of 27°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 50.0 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Massac County ran 350 farms, 127,131 acres of farmland, and 3,087 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southern Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Goats, Sheep |
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 Massac County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
807 N 1st St, Vienna, IL 62995
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 Massac County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Massac County, about 4,576 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Massac County
Farms in Massac County average 363 acres, and about 23% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 10,229 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Massac County
Massac County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Massac County Operations
Based on Massac County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs address forest management and erosion control on sloped terrain. Grazing management practices are emphasized for cattle operations.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Johnson County, Illinois, Pope County, Illinois, Pulaski County, Illinois, Livingston County, Kentucky, and McCracken County, Kentucky. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Massac 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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