Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Guthrie County
Guthrie County sits within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 1,161 feet.
Temperatures in Guthrie County range from a January mean low of 11°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 35.4 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Guthrie County ran 904 farms, 324,037 acres of farmland, and 11,023 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Horses, Floriculture, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Guthrie County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1000 School St, Guthrie Center, IA 50115
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 Guthrie County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 13% of farmland in Guthrie County, about 42,868 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Guthrie County
Farms in Guthrie County average 358 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 1,055 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Guthrie County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Guthrie 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 brush management (rangeland). 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 Guthrie County Operations
Based on Guthrie County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grazing management programs promote rotational systems and pasture improvement on the extensive grasslands. Stream bank stabilization projects target the Middle Raccoon River watershed to reduce erosion and sedimentation.
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 Adair County, Iowa, Audubon County, Iowa, Carroll County, Iowa, Cass County, Iowa, Dallas County, Iowa, and Greene County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Guthrie 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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