Sullivan County, Indiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

411
Farms & Ranches
177K
Acres in Agriculture
430
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$991K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Sullivan County, Indiana has 411 farms working 176,644 agricultural acres (average 430 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Sullivan County

Sullivan County sits within the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) region. Elevation averages about 488 feet.

Temperatures in Sullivan County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.5 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Sullivan County ran 411 farms, 176,644 acres of farmland, and 948 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Indiana
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Poultry, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Wheat

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

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 Sullivan County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

2306 N Section St, Sullivan, IN 47882

(812) 268-5157

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 Sullivan County Operations

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

Programs emphasize soil conservation on highly erodible prairie soils and reclamation of former mining areas for agricultural use. Water management systems are critical for the flat terrain to prevent flooding and improve drainage.

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 Clark County, Illinois, Crawford County, Illinois, Clay County, Indiana, Greene County, Indiana, Knox County, Indiana, and Vigo County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Sullivan 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 Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.64
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.73
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Sullivan 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.