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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Will County
Will County is part of the Northern Illinois and Indiana Heavy Till Plain land resource region (MLRA 110). The county's mean elevation is about 699 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Will County sees 39.2 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 50.5°F mean annual temperature.
Will County carries 9 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,582 acres. 780 farms operate in the county, averaging 309 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Illinois |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Floriculture, Wheat, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Will County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
685 Larry Power Rd, Bourbonnais, IL 60914
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1201 Gougar Rd, New Lenox, IL 60451
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. 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 Will County Operations
Based on Will County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP focuses on precision agriculture and conservation practices in the urban-agriculture interface. Beginning Farmer programs help new operators access increasingly expensive farmland near metropolitan areas.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Will County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cook County, Illinois, DuPage County, Illinois, Grundy County, Illinois, Kankakee County, Illinois, Kendall County, Illinois, and Lake County, Indiana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Will 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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