Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Comanche County
Comanche County sits within the Central Rolling Red Plains, Eastern Part (MLRA 78C) region. Elevation averages about 1,977 feet.
Temperatures in Comanche County range from a January mean low of 21°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 25.1 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Comanche County ran 206 farms, 451,953 acres of farmland, and 18,695 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and sorghum.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Corn, Cotton, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 20+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Comanche County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
800 W 3rd Ave, Medicine Lodge, KS 67104
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
411 Main St, Ashland, KS 67831
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 Comanche County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 62% of farmland in Comanche County, about 278,990 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 Comanche County
Farms in Comanche County average 2,194 acres, and about 4% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 8,762 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Comanche County
Given the operation mix in Comanche 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 brush management for rangeland. 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 Comanche County Operations
Based on Comanche County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CRP enrollment targets wind erosion control and native grass restoration on marginal cropland. Drought mitigation programs provide livestock water development and emergency feed assistance during extended dry periods.
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 Barber County, Kansas, Clark County, Kansas, Kiowa County, Kansas, Harper County, Oklahoma, and Woods County, Oklahoma. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Comanche 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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