Wabash County, Illinois: USDA programs and conservation funding

177
Farms & Ranches
118K
Acres in Agriculture
668
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$217K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Wabash County, Illinois has 177 farms working 118,306 agricultural acres (average 668 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

← Illinois Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Wabash County

Wabash County sits within the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) region. Elevation averages about 463 feet.

Temperatures in Wabash County range from a January mean low of 24°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.4 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Wabash County ran 177 farms, 118,306 acres of farmland, and 115 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and wheat.


Quick Facts

RegionSoutheast Illinois
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle & calves, 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 Wabash County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

23 Industrial Dr, Fairfield, IL 62837

(618) 842-7602

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

10976 State Route 250, Lawrenceville, IL 62439

(618) 943-2621

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 Wabash County Operations

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

CRP enrollment targets marginal cropland and provides erosion control on rolling terrain. EQIP supports livestock watering systems and pasture improvements for cattle operations in the hill country.

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 Edwards County, Illinois, Lawrence County, Illinois, Richland County, Illinois, White County, Illinois, Gibson County, Indiana, and Knox County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Wabash 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.29
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.76
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Wabash 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.