Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Shelby County
Shelby County sits within the Iowa and Missouri Deep Loess Hills (MLRA 107) region. Elevation averages about 1,205 feet.
Temperatures in Shelby County range from a January mean low of 11°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 34.8 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Shelby County ran 865 farms, 339,793 acres of farmland, and 23,614 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, hogs, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Shelby County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2519 Southwest Ave, Harlan, IA 51537
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 Shelby County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 3% of farmland in Shelby County, about 8,825 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 Shelby County
Farms in Shelby County average 393 acres, and about 13% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 328 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Shelby County
Shelby County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and hogs. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — 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 Shelby County Operations
Based on Shelby County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts emphasize erosion control on rolling terrain and stream protection through buffer strips and rotational grazing. Grassland management programs help maintain soil health while supporting the county's significant livestock operations.
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 Audubon County, Iowa, Carroll County, Iowa, Cass County, Iowa, Crawford County, Iowa, Harrison County, Iowa, and Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Shelby 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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