Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Madison County
Madison County sits within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 1,102 feet.
Temperatures in Madison County range from a January mean low of 13°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 35.6 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Madison County ran 1,133 farms, 311,851 acres of farmland, and 14,666 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, hogs, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Sheep, 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 Madison County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
815 E Highway 92, Winterset, IA 50273
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 Madison County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 15% of farmland in Madison County, about 46,473 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Madison County
Farms in Madison County average 275 acres, and about 30% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 8 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Madison County
Given the operation mix in Madison County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Madison County Operations
Based on Madison County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs protect the scenic Middle River watershed while maintaining agricultural productivity. Erosion control practices are essential on the county's steep and erodible slopes.
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, Clarke County, Iowa, Dallas County, Iowa, Guthrie County, Iowa, Polk County, Iowa, and Union County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Madison 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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