Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Keokuk County
Keokuk County sits within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 697 feet.
Temperatures in Keokuk County range from a January mean low of 13°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 37.3 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Keokuk County ran 871 farms, 277,478 acres of farmland, and 9,737 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: hogs, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Hogs, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Goats |
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 Keokuk County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
607 E Jackson St, Sigourney, IA 52591
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 Keokuk County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 8% of farmland in Keokuk County, about 21,277 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June 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 Keokuk County
Farms in Keokuk County average 319 acres, and about 16% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 4 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Keokuk County
Keokuk County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, hogs, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Keokuk County Operations
Based on Keokuk County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Mine land reclamation programs continue to improve soil productivity on former coal sites. Erosion control is critical on the county's steep slopes and erodible soils.
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 Iowa County, Iowa, Jefferson County, Iowa, Mahaska County, Iowa, Poweshiek County, Iowa, Wapello County, Iowa, and Washington County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Keokuk 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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