Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Worth County
Worth County is part of the Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies land resource region (MLRA 104). The county's mean elevation is about 1,220 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Worth County sees 35.8 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 45.3°F mean annual temperature.
Worth County carries 1,137 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,858 acres. 538 farms operate in the county, averaging 303 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Iowa |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Worth County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1004 10th St S, Northwood, IA 50459
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 Worth County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Worth County greening up around June and peaking in July. The county carries about 1,858 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Worth County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Worth County at an average farm size of 303 acres, 25% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 839 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Worth County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Worth 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 waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). 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 Worth County Operations
Based on Worth County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize water quality protection for the Shell Rock River system and wetland preservation in this intensively farmed region. Nutrient management practices and cover crop adoption help balance high agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship and wildlife habitat maintenance.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Worth County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Hancock County, Iowa, Mitchell County, Iowa, Winnebago County, Iowa, Freeborn County, Minnesota, and Mower County, Minnesota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Worth 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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