Fayette County, Indiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

298
Farms & Ranches
91K
Acres in Agriculture
306
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$945K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Fayette County, Indiana has 298 farms working 91,045 agricultural acres (average 306 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Fayette County

Fayette County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 956 feet.

Temperatures in Fayette County range from a January mean low of 20°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 44.2 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Fayette County ran 298 farms, 91,045 acres of farmland, and 812 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and wheat.


Quick Facts

RegionEast Central Indiana
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Sheep

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 Fayette County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

2590 N Park Rd, Connersville, IN 47331

(765) 825-2331

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 Fayette County Operations

Based on Fayette County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

CSP enrollment emphasizes cover crops and soil health improvements on grain farms. EQIP supports precision agriculture adoption and nutrient management on productive farmland.

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 Franklin County, Indiana, Henry County, Indiana, Rush County, Indiana, Union County, Indiana, and Wayne County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Fayette County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Indiana guide: Indiana Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.63
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Fayette County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.