Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Howard County
Howard County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 797 feet.
Temperatures in Howard County range from a January mean low of 18°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 41.6 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Howard County ran 427 farms, 139,488 acres of farmland, and 807 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Wheat, 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 Howard County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1103 S Goyer Rd, Kokomo, IN 46902
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 Howard County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 1% of farmland in Howard County, about 863 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in August. 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 Howard County
Farms in Howard County average 327 acres, and about 33% are small operations. Roughly 31% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 29 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Howard County
Given the operation mix in Howard County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Howard County Operations
Based on Howard County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP emphasizes soil health practices and precision nutrient management on highly productive land. EQIP supports modern livestock facilities and grain handling 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Carroll County, Indiana, Cass County, Indiana, Clinton County, Indiana, Grant County, Indiana, Miami County, Indiana, and Tipton County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Howard 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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