Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Randolph County
Randolph County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 1,101 feet.
Temperatures in Randolph County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 41.7 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Randolph County ran 675 farms, 238,870 acres of farmland, and 6,050 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Poultry, Dairy, Cattle & calves |
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 Randolph County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
975 E Washington St, Winchester, IN 47394
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 Randolph County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 1% of farmland in Randolph County, about 3,209 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June 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 Randolph County
Farms in Randolph County average 354 acres, and about 28% are small operations. Roughly 19% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 286 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Randolph County
With milk and corn in the mix in Randolph County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). 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 Randolph County Operations
Based on Randolph County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Nutrient management planning is emphasized due to intensive crop and livestock production systems. Tile drainage maintenance and upgrading helps optimize production on prime 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 Delaware County, Indiana, Henry County, Indiana, Jay County, Indiana, Wayne County, Indiana, and Darke County, Ohio. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Randolph 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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