Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Montgomery County
Elevation across Montgomery County averages about 775 feet. The county falls within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) land resource region.
The growing season in Montgomery County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 42.7 inches per year. January lows average around 18°F while July highs reach about 84°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 651 farms in Montgomery County, operating across 252,762 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 388 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Vegetables |
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 Montgomery County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2036 Lebanon Rd, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
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 Montgomery County
The forage year in Montgomery County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 4,373 acres of pastureland and 1,824 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Montgomery County
About 27% of Montgomery County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 29% of farms are small and 11% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 388 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Montgomery County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Montgomery County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Montgomery County Operations
Based on Montgomery County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Streambank stabilization and riparian buffer establishment along Sugar Creek are key conservation focuses. Precision agriculture adoption is supported to optimize fertilizer applications on variable soils.
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 Montgomery County: Boone County, Indiana, Clinton County, Indiana, Fountain County, Indiana, Hendricks County, Indiana, Parke County, Indiana, and Putnam County, Indiana. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Montgomery 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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