Morgan County, Illinois: USDA programs and conservation funding

753
Farms & Ranches
283K
Acres in Agriculture
376
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Morgan County, Illinois has 753 farms working 283,082 agricultural acres (average 376 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Morgan County

Elevation across Morgan County averages about 619 feet. The county falls within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) land resource region.

The growing season in Morgan County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 39.0 inches per year. January lows average around 19°F while July highs reach about 86°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 753 farms in Morgan County, operating across 283,082 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 376 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and hogs.


Quick Facts

RegionWest Central Illinois
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Poultry

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 Morgan County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1904 W Lafayette Ave, Jacksonville, IL 62650

(217) 243-1535

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 Morgan County Operations

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

Conservation practices address soil conservation on sandy soils and water quality protection along the Illinois River. Irrigation efficiency is promoted where needed.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Morgan County: Brown County, Illinois, Cass County, Illinois, Greene County, Illinois, Macoupin County, Illinois, Pike County, Illinois, and Sangamon County, Illinois. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Morgan 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 FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.65
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Morgan 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.