Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jasper County
Jasper County sits within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 910 feet.
Temperatures in Jasper County range from a January mean low of 12°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 36.3 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Jasper County ran 1,151 farms, 439,310 acres of farmland, and 10,398 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, 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 Jasper County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
808 Iowa Speedway Drive, Newton, IA 50208
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 Jasper County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 5% of farmland in Jasper County, about 19,891 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 Jasper County
Farms in Jasper County average 382 acres, and about 22% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 592 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Jasper County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Jasper 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 Jasper County Operations
Based on Jasper County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Skunk River watershed management includes nutrient reduction strategies and wetland restoration in strategically located areas. Beginning farmer programs help new operators establish themselves in this productive agricultural region near the Des Moines metro area.
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 Mahaska County, Iowa, Marion County, Iowa, Marshall County, Iowa, Polk County, Iowa, Poweshiek County, Iowa, and Story County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Jasper 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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