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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Stephenson County
Elevation across Stephenson County averages about 793 feet. The county falls within the Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan Drift Plain (MLRA 95) land resource region.
The growing season in Stephenson County spans roughly 244 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 38.5 inches per year. January lows average around 12°F while July highs reach about 83°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 998 farms in Stephenson County, operating across 305,770 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 306 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Hogs, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Stephenson County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
211 N Appleton Rd, Belvidere, IL 61008
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1620 S Galena Ave, Freeport, IL 61032
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 Stephenson County
The forage year in Stephenson County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 9,419 acres of pastureland and 25,548 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Stephenson County
About 24% of Stephenson County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 27% of farms are small and 10% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 306 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Stephenson County
Given the operation mix in Stephenson County, the practices that most often come up are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Stephenson County Operations
Based on Stephenson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports dairy facility modernization and manure management systems for livestock operations. CSP promotes rotational grazing and integrated crop-livestock systems to enhance overall farm sustainability.
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 Stephenson County: Carroll County, Illinois, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, Ogle County, Illinois, Winnebago County, Illinois, Green County, Wisconsin, and Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Stephenson 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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