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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About McDonough County
McDonough County sits within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 694 feet.
Temperatures in McDonough County range from a January mean low of 17°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 39.3 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
McDonough County ran 658 farms, 277,887 acres of farmland, and 3,971 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, 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 McDonough County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1619 W Jackson St, Macomb, IL 61455
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.
Forage and Grazing in McDonough County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 5% of farmland in McDonough County, about 12,554 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 McDonough County
Farms in McDonough County average 422 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 120 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in McDonough County
McDonough County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for McDonough County Operations
Based on McDonough County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs promote soil conservation practices on gently sloped fields and water quality protection. Integrated pest management is emphasized for sustainable crop production.
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 Fulton County, Illinois, Hancock County, Illinois, Henderson County, Illinois, Schuyler County, Illinois, and Warren County, Illinois. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in McDonough 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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