Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Delaware County
Delaware County sits within the Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (MLRA 104) region. Elevation averages about 1,031 feet.
Temperatures in Delaware County range from a January mean low of 10°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 38.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Delaware County ran 1,496 farms, 345,856 acres of farmland, and 51,224 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, hogs, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Dairy, Sheep |
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 Delaware County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
200 S 12th St, Manchester, IA 52057
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 Delaware County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Delaware County, about 12,798 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June 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 Delaware County
Farms in Delaware County average 231 acres, and about 18% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 78 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Delaware County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Delaware County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Delaware County Operations
Based on Delaware County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Stream bank stabilization and water quality improvement projects target the Maquoketa River watershed. Dairy modernization initiatives help existing operations upgrade facilities and improve efficiency.
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 Buchanan County, Iowa, Clayton County, Iowa, Dubuque County, Iowa, Fayette County, Iowa, Jones County, Iowa, and Linn County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Delaware 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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