Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bartholomew County
Bartholomew County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 632 feet.
Temperatures in Bartholomew County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Bartholomew County ran 502 farms, 129,104 acres of farmland, and 1,353 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Bartholomew County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
785 S Marr Road, Columbus, IN 47201
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 Bartholomew County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 2% of farmland in Bartholomew County, about 2,079 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in July. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Bartholomew County
Farms in Bartholomew County average 257 acres, and about 37% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 14,700 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Bartholomew County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Bartholomew County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Bartholomew County Operations
Based on Bartholomew County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP enrollment focuses on grazing management and crop rotation diversity on rolling terrain. EQIP supports stream bank stabilization and pasture improvements along the White River watershed.
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 Brown County, Indiana, Decatur County, Indiana, Jackson County, Indiana, Jennings County, Indiana, Johnson County, Indiana, and Shelby County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Bartholomew County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Indiana guide: Indiana Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.