Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Washington County
Washington County sits within the Highland Rim and Pennyroyal (MLRA 122) region. Elevation averages about 730 feet.
Temperatures in Washington County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 48.6 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Washington County ran 783 farms, 190,434 acres of farmland, and 6,149 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Indiana |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Dairy |
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 Washington County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
801 Anson St, Salem, IN 47167
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 Washington County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 10% of farmland in Washington County, about 18,622 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Washington County
Farms in Washington County average 243 acres, and about 25% are small operations. Roughly 17% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 406 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Washington County
Given the operation mix in Washington County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Washington County Operations
Based on Washington County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs heavily emphasize erosion control on steep slopes through terracing, grass waterways, and forest buffers. Grazing management practices help optimize livestock production while protecting fragile hillside soils from overuse.
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, Indiana, Crawford County, Indiana, Floyd County, Indiana, Harrison County, Indiana, Jackson County, Indiana, and Lawrence County, Indiana. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Washington 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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