Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Chickasaw County
Chickasaw County sits within the Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (MLRA 104) region. Elevation averages about 1,160 feet.
Temperatures in Chickasaw County range from a January mean low of 8°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 37.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Chickasaw County ran 1,009 farms, 273,833 acres of farmland, and 12,426 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, hogs, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Vegetables |
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 Chickasaw County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
420 W Milwaukee St, New Hampton, IA 50659
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 Chickasaw County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 3% of farmland in Chickasaw County, about 7,244 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Chickasaw County
Farms in Chickasaw County average 271 acres, and about 18% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,495 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Chickasaw County
Given the operation mix in Chickasaw 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 Chickasaw County Operations
Based on Chickasaw County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Riparian management and stream corridor protection emphasize buffer strips and bank stabilization along rivers. Dairy operations focus on pasture management and nutrient handling to maintain water quality standards.
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 Bremer County, Iowa, Butler County, Iowa, Fayette County, Iowa, Floyd County, Iowa, Howard County, Iowa, and Mitchell County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Chickasaw County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Iowa guide: Iowa Farm Programs Guide
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