Grundy County, Iowa: USDA programs and conservation funding

670
Farms & Ranches
321K
Acres in Agriculture
479
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$17.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Grundy County, Iowa has 670 farms working 320,623 agricultural acres (average 479 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $17.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Grundy County

Grundy County lies in the Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (MLRA 104) region. Elevation averages about 1,005 feet.

Grundy County averages 36.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 47.3°F.

Grundy County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and hogs. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 670 farms working 320,623 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 4,300 head.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central Iowa
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Horses, Sheep

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

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 Grundy County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

805 W 4th St, Grundy Center, IA 50638

(319) 824-5416

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 Grundy County Operations

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

Soil health programs emphasize maintaining organic matter levels in these highly productive soils through cover crops and reduced tillage. Drainage management systems optimize water removal while minimizing nutrient loss.

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

Counties Bordering Grundy County

Grundy County shares borders with Black Hawk County, Iowa, Butler County, Iowa, Franklin County, Iowa, Hardin County, Iowa, Marshall County, Iowa, and Tama County, Iowa. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Grundy County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Iowa guide: Iowa Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.25
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.89
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Grundy 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.