Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Davis County
Davis County sits within the Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain (MLRA 109) region. Elevation averages about 872 feet.
Temperatures in Davis County range from a January mean low of 15°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 38.1 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Davis County ran 941 farms, 213,870 acres of farmland, and 18,649 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: hogs, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Hogs, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Poultry, 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 Davis County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
402 Karr Ave, Bloomfield, IA 52537
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 Davis County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 21% of farmland in Davis County, about 45,513 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March 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 Davis County
Farms in Davis County average 227 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 18% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 57 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Davis County
Given the operation mix in Davis 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 Davis County Operations
Based on Davis County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts focus on soil erosion control on sloped fields and wetland restoration projects. Beginning farmer programs are actively promoted due to an aging farm population in this rural county.
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 Appanoose County, Iowa, Jefferson County, Iowa, Monroe County, Iowa, Van Buren County, Iowa, Wapello County, Iowa, and Schuyler County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Davis 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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