Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Mills County
Mills County sits within the Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills (MLRA 107) region. Elevation averages about 1,010 feet.
Temperatures in Mills County range from a January mean low of 14°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 34.1 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Mills County ran 451 farms, 210,969 acres of farmland, and 1,582 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Hogs, Floriculture |
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 Mills County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
204 W 5th, Malvern, IA 51551
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 Mills County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 2% of farmland in Mills County, about 4,174 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 Mills County
Farms in Mills County average 468 acres, and about 23% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,898 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Mills County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Mills 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 Mills County Operations
Based on Mills County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Loess hills conservation programs prevent severe erosion on the unique geological formations. Missouri River management includes both flood protection and water rights coordination.
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 Fremont County, Iowa, Montgomery County, Iowa, Page County, Iowa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Cass County, Nebraska, and Sarpy County, Nebraska. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Mills County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Iowa guide: Iowa Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.