Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marion County
Marion County sits within the Illinois and Iowa Deep Loess and Drift (MLRA 108) region. Elevation averages about 881 feet.
Temperatures in Marion County range from a January mean low of 13°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 36.6 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Marion County ran 947 farms, 240,780 acres of farmland, and 8,062 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Sheep, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Marion County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1445 Lake Dr, Knoxville, IA 50138
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 Marion County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 11% of farmland in Marion County, about 26,877 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 Marion County
Farms in Marion County average 254 acres, and about 23% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 54 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Marion County
Given the operation mix in Marion 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 Marion County Operations
Based on Marion County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Red Rock Lake watershed programs balance agricultural productivity with water quality protection. Urban proximity supports beginning farmer programs and local food system development.
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 Jasper County, Iowa, Lucas County, Iowa, Mahaska County, Iowa, Monroe County, Iowa, Polk County, Iowa, and Warren County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Marion 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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