Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Brown County
Brown County is part of the Kentucky and Indiana Sandstone and Shale Hills and Valleys, Northeastern Part land resource region (MLRA 120C). The county's mean elevation is about 647 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Brown County sees 47.4 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 53.1°F mean annual temperature.
Brown County carries 409 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,418 acres. 157 farms operate in the county, averaging 98 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Vegetables, Goats |
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 Brown County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1931 Liberty Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403
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 Brown County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Brown County greening up around May and peaking in August. The county carries about 1,418 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Brown County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Brown County at an average farm size of 98 acres, 37% small operations, 21% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 70 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Brown County
Given the operation mix in Brown County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. 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 Brown County Operations
Based on Brown County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP focuses on erosion control and pasture management on steep slopes and fragile soils. CRP and CREP enrollment emphasizes forest buffers and wildlife habitat restoration in sensitive watersheds.
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 Brown County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Bartholomew County, Indiana, Jackson County, Indiana, Johnson County, Indiana, Monroe County, Indiana, and Morgan County, Indiana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Brown County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Indiana guide: Indiana Farm Programs Guide
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