Knox County, Indiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

447
Farms & Ranches
327K
Acres in Agriculture
732
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Knox County, Indiana has 447 farms working 327,292 agricultural acres (average 732 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Knox County

Knox County lies in the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) region. Elevation averages about 545 feet.

Knox County averages 46.8 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 55.2°F.

Knox County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and hogs. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 447 farms working 327,292 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 1,123 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwestern Indiana
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Vegetables, Poultry, Hogs, Wheat

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 Knox County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

604 Quail Run Road, Vincennes, IN 47591

(812) 882-8210

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 Knox County Operations

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

CRP targets riparian buffers and wetland restoration along major river systems. EQIP supports drainage management and nutrient application practices on river bottom ground.

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

Counties Bordering Knox County

Knox County shares borders with Crawford County, Illinois, Lawrence County, Illinois, Wabash County, Illinois, Daviess County, Indiana, Gibson County, Indiana, and Greene County, Indiana. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Knox 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

0.44
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.88
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Knox 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.