Last updated April 2026
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Indiana Farm Programs: Cover Crops, Livestock Waste & Great Lakes EQIP

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

Quick Facts
Farms & Ranches ~56,800 (2022 USDA Census)
Top Commodities Corn, soybeans, hogs, poultry, dairy, cattle & calves, eggs
Total Ag Land ~14.8 million acres
Average Farm Size ~261 acres
EQIP FY2026 Application Deadline Varies by area , contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
CSP FY2026 Application Deadline Varies by area , contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
State NRCS Office (317) 290-3200 · Indianapolis, IN

Federal Programs in Indiana

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state , each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Indiana. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Indiana

Indiana EQIP Priorities:

  • Soil health on cropland (cover crops, reduced tillage)
  • Water quality protection
  • Grazing management
  • Livestock waste management
  • Nutrient management
  • Drainage water management

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

  • Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
  • Livestock water development
  • Prescribed grazing systems
  • Waste management systems
  • Heavy use area protection
  • Nutrient management
  • Cover crops in crop-livestock rotations

EQIP in Indiana , What to Ask About: Indiana participates in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which provides dedicated EQIP funding for water quality practices in priority Great Lakes watersheds in the northern part of the state. GLRI focuses on reducing nutrient and sediment delivery to surface water. For livestock operations, EQIP can assist with nutrient management, waste storage, prescribed grazing, and fencing. Ask your local NRCS office which GLRI priority watersheds and other initiatives apply to your area.

Indiana EQIP payment schedules: Available on the Indiana NRCS website.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Indiana

CSP rewards producers for conservation practices already in place and pays for new enhancements. Well-managed operations with rotational grazing, maintained fencing, and conservation practices are strong candidates.

→ Read the full CSP guide

FSA Programs in Indiana

Current Disaster Designations: Check farmers.gov/protection-recovery for current drought and disaster designations in Indiana.

Key FSA Programs:

  • Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans
  • Microloans (up to $50,000 , simplified application)
  • Emergency Farm Loans (for designated disaster areas)
  • Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) : Flooding, tornado, drought, and severe storm losses
  • ELAP , covers drought-related grazing losses and emergency costs
  • Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) : triggered by drought monitor conditions

Indiana FSA State Office: (317) 290-3315

Indiana-Specific Programs

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Indiana has 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Website: in.gov/isda

Indiana Beef Cattle Association

Website: indianabeef.org

Indiana Tax Provisions for Ag

  • Agricultural Land Assessment: Based on soil productivity , Indiana uses a detailed soil-based valuation system.
  • State Income Tax: Flat rate of 3.05% (among the lowest flat rates). Farm income is subject to state tax. County income taxes add 1-3%.
  • Sales Tax Exemptions: Farm equipment, livestock, feed, and agricultural inputs are exempt from Indiana sales tax.

RCPP in Indiana

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds conservation projects through partnerships between NRCS and local organizations. RCPP projects vary by state and year — check with your local NRCS office or visit the RCPP page for current projects in your area.

ACEP in Indiana

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners protect farmland and wetlands through conservation easements. Two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) protect working farmland, and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) restore and protect wetlands. Contact your local NRCS office for current enrollment.

Resources

USDA Offices

State Resources

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with your local NRCS/FSA office.

Program Typical Deadline Window Notes
EQIP Primary Batching Nov–Feb (varies by area) Check with local NRCS for exact date
CSP Ranking Varies Check state ranking dates page
CRP General Sign-up When announced by FSA Not always open every year
LFP (Livestock Forage) Triggered by D2+ Drought Monitor designation Monitor drought conditions
LIP (Livestock Indemnity) 30 days after loss to file notice Don't miss this window
ELAP 30 days after loss to file notice Don't miss this window

Your Next Steps in Indiana

  1. Run our eligibility screener to see your personalized program list: Take the eligibility screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
  3. Read the federal program guides for programs you're interested in: EQIP · CSP · Beginning Farmer · Disaster Assistance
  4. Cover crops and soil health are Indiana's top EQIP priorities
  5. Southern Indiana livestock producers should focus on grazing management applications

Tools for Indiana Ranchers

Run the numbers before your next USDA visit. Each tool takes 2–3 minutes.

EQIP Cost Estimator → PRF Rainfall Analysis → Drought Dashboard → Deadline Calendar → Emergency Triage → Program Screener →

County Guides (92 counties)

Each county guide includes local USDA office information, relevant programs, and conservation priorities specific to that area.

Adamscorn, hogs, soybeans · 1,305 farms Allencorn, soybeans, hogs · 1,497 farms Bartholomewcorn, soybeans, hogs · 502 farms Bentoncorn, soybeans, milk · 390 farms Blackfordsoybeans, corn, hogs · 217 farms Boonecorn, soybeans, hogs · 519 farms Browncorn, soybeans, cattle · 157 farms Carrollcorn, hogs, soybeans · 537 farms Casscorn, soybeans, hogs · 633 farms Clarksoybeans, corn, cattle · 437 farms Claycorn, soybeans, cattle · 486 farms Clintoncorn, soybeans, hogs · 526 farms Crawfordsoybeans, corn, hogs · 374 farms Daviesscorn, soybeans, hogs · 1,140 farms DeKalb Dearborncorn, soybeans, cattle · 520 farms Decaturcorn, hogs, soybeans · 552 farms Delawarecorn, soybeans, hogs · 506 farms Duboiscorn, soybeans, hogs · 740 farms Elkhartcorn, milk, soybeans · 1,809 farms Fayettecorn, soybeans, wheat · 298 farms Floydcorn, soybeans, cattle · 257 farms Fountaincorn, soybeans, wheat · 440 farms Franklincorn, soybeans, cattle · 683 farms Fultoncorn, soybeans, hogs · 636 farms Gibsoncorn, soybeans, hogs · 477 farms Grantcorn, soybeans, hogs · 457 farms Greenecorn, soybeans, cattle · 788 farms Hamiltoncorn, soybeans, equine · 517 farms Hancockcorn, soybeans, hogs · 505 farms Harrisoncorn, soybeans, cattle · 990 farms Hendrickscorn, soybeans, hogs · 544 farms Henrycorn, soybeans, hogs · 584 farms Howardcorn, soybeans, hogs · 427 farms Huntingtoncorn, soybeans, milk · 643 farms Jacksoncorn, soybeans, hogs · 607 farms Jaspermilk, corn, hogs · 608 farms Jayhogs, corn, soybeans · 801 farms Jeffersonsoybeans, corn, cattle · 513 farms Jenningssoybeans, corn, hogs · 461 farms Johnsoncorn, soybeans, wheat · 520 farms Knoxcorn, soybeans, hogs · 447 farms Kosciuskocorn, soybeans, hogs · 1,079 farms LaGrangecattle, corn, milk · 2,474 farms LaPorte Lakecorn, soybeans, milk · 347 farms Lawrencecorn, cattle, soybeans · 706 farms Madisoncorn, soybeans, cattle · 682 farms Marionsoybeans, corn, flowering plants, potted · 169 farms Marshallcorn, milk, soybeans · 779 farms Martinhogs, corn, soybeans · 249 farms Miamicorn, hogs, soybeans · 613 farms Monroecorn, cattle, equine · 419 farms Montgomerycorn, soybeans, cattle · 651 farms Morgancorn, soybeans, hogs · 506 farms Newtoncorn, soybeans, wheat · 372 farms Noblecorn, soybeans, hogs · 1,067 farms Ohiocorn, soybeans, cattle · 123 farms Orangecorn, soybeans, wheat · 425 farms Owencorn, soybeans, cattle · 435 farms Parkecorn, soybeans, milk · 646 farms Perrycorn, soybeans, hogs · 417 farms Pikecorn, soybeans, hogs · 279 farms Portercorn, soybeans, cattle · 462 farms Poseycorn, soybeans, wheat · 462 farms Pulaskicorn, soybeans, cattle · 507 farms Putnamcorn, soybeans, hogs · 728 farms Randolphcorn, soybeans, hogs · 675 farms Ripleysoybeans, corn, hogs · 835 farms Rushcorn, soybeans, hogs · 473 farms Scottcorn, cattle, goats · 283 farms Shelbycorn, soybeans, wheat · 548 farms Spencercorn, soybeans, cattle · 558 farms St. Josephcorn, soybeans, hogs · 547 farms Starkecorn, soybeans, cattle · 394 farms Steubencorn, soybeans, milk · 461 farms Sullivancorn, soybeans, cattle · 411 farms Switzerlandcorn, cattle, tobacco · 339 farms Tippecanoecorn, soybeans, hogs · 712 farms Tiptoncorn, soybeans, cattle · 416 farms Unioncorn, soybeans, hogs · 194 farms Vanderburghcorn, soybeans, wheat · 204 farms Vermillioncorn, soybeans, wheat · 291 farms Vigocorn, soybeans, goats · 464 farms Wabashcorn, hogs, soybeans · 635 farms Warrencorn, soybeans, cattle · 421 farms Warrickcorn, soybeans, cattle · 335 farms Washingtoncorn, soybeans, cattle · 783 farms Waynecorn, soybeans, milk · 727 farms Wellscorn, soybeans, hogs · 527 farms Whitecorn, hogs, soybeans · 577 farms Whitleycorn, soybeans, hogs · 647 farms

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By Doug McCarty · Spencer Shadow Ranch, Oregon · Last updated 2026-04