Gibson County, Indiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

477
Farms & Ranches
248K
Acres in Agriculture
521
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Milk
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Gibson County, Indiana has 477 farms working 248,444 agricultural acres (average 521 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.9 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 Gibson County

Elevation across Gibson County averages about 499 feet. The county falls within the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) land resource region.

The growing season in Gibson County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 48.1 inches per year. January lows average around 24°F while July highs reach about 88°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 477 farms in Gibson County, operating across 248,444 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 521 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and hogs.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwestern Indiana
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Dairy, Wheat, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Gibson County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

229 S 2nd Ave, Princeton, IN 47670

(812) 385-5033

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 Gibson County Operations

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

EQIP supports drainage tile installation and nutrient management in river bottom fields. CRP enrollment focuses on wetland restoration along the Wabash River corridor.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Gibson County: Wabash County, Illinois, White County, Illinois, Knox County, Indiana, Pike County, Indiana, Posey County, Indiana, and Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Gibson 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

EQIP FencingCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.42
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.89
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Gibson 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.