White County, Indiana: USDA programs and conservation funding

577
Farms & Ranches
305K
Acres in Agriculture
528
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$13.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

White County, Indiana has 577 farms working 304,558 agricultural acres (average 528 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $13.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Hogs. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 White County

White County is part of the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain land resource region (MLRA 111). The county's mean elevation is about 696 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, White County sees 40.3 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 50.9°F mean annual temperature.

White County carries 873 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 3,375 acres. 577 farms operate in the county, averaging 528 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthwest Indiana
Top CommoditiesCorn, Hogs, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Sheep, Poultry

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 White County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

515 S Country Ln, Monticello, IN 47960

(574) 583-7622

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 White County Operations

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

Conservation programs focus on managing drainage in former wetland areas and preventing wind erosion on exposed prairie soils. Precision agriculture initiatives optimize production on the highly uniform terrain while protecting sensitive organic 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

Nearby Counties

Operators in White County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Benton County, Indiana, Carroll County, Indiana, Cass County, Indiana, Jasper County, Indiana, Pulaski County, Indiana, and Tippecanoe County, Indiana. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in White 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

CRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.37
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.60
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for White 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.