Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Butler County
Butler County sits within the Bluestem Hills (MLRA 76) region. Elevation averages about 1,338 feet.
Temperatures in Butler County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 37.1 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Butler County ran 1,399 farms, 821,264 acres of farmland, and 57,935 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Hogs, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Butler County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2503 Enterprise Ave, El Dorado, KS 67042
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 Butler County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 56% of farmland in Butler County, about 461,768 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Butler County
Farms in Butler County average 587 acres, and about 25% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,653 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Butler County
Butler County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Butler County Operations
Based on Butler County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grazing land management programs focus on prescribed burning and native grass restoration in tallgrass prairie areas. Water quality initiatives target nutrient management and erosion control in reservoir watersheds.
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 Chase County, Kansas, Cowley County, Kansas, Elk County, Kansas, Greenwood County, Kansas, Harvey County, Kansas, and Marion County, Kansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Butler County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Kansas guide: Kansas Farm Programs Guide
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