Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Elkhart County
Elkhart County is part of the Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana Drift Plains land resource region (MLRA 98). The county's mean elevation is about 794 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Elkhart County sees 38.4 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 49.6°F mean annual temperature.
Elkhart County carries 23,897 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 11,882 acres. 1,809 farms operate in the county, averaging 108 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Corn, Dairy, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Hogs |
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 Elkhart County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
17746 County Road 34, Goshen, IN 46528
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 Elkhart County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Elkhart County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 11,882 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 Elkhart County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Elkhart County at an average farm size of 108 acres, 54% small operations, 11% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 32,158 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 Elkhart County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Elkhart County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Elkhart County Operations
Based on Elkhart County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP heavily supports dairy facility improvements and nutrient management for concentrated livestock operations. CSP promotes diverse crop rotations and conservation practices adapted to traditional farming systems.
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 Elkhart County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Kosciusko County, Indiana, LaGrange County, Indiana, Marshall County, Indiana, Noble County, Indiana, St. Joseph County, Indiana, and Cass County, Michigan. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Elkhart 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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