Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Rush County
Rush County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 986 feet.
Temperatures in Rush County range from a January mean low of 20°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.0 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Rush County ran 473 farms, 189,580 acres of farmland, and 1,874 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, Cattle & calves, Wheat, 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 Rush County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2779 South 840 West, Manilla, IN 46150
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 Rush County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 2% of farmland in Rush County, about 2,988 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in July. 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 Rush County
Farms in Rush County average 401 acres, and about 18% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 560 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Rush County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Rush 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 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 Rush County Operations
Based on Rush County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Precision agriculture and variable rate applications help maximize efficiency on high-value agricultural land. Cover crops and conservation tillage maintain soil health while supporting intensive production.
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 Decatur County, Indiana, Fayette County, Indiana, Franklin County, Indiana, Hancock County, Indiana, Henry County, Indiana, and Shelby County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Rush 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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