Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Franklin County
Franklin County sits within the Cherokee Prairies (MLRA 112) region. Elevation averages about 946 feet.
Temperatures in Franklin County range from a January mean low of 21°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 39.0 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Franklin County ran 835 farms, 254,532 acres of farmland, and 16,767 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Hogs, Wheat, Dairy |
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 Franklin County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
343 W 23rd Street, Suite 1, Ottawa, KS 66067
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 Franklin County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 29% of farmland in Franklin County, about 73,080 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around July and forage peaks in August. 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 Franklin County
Farms in Franklin County average 305 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 2,356 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Franklin County
Given the operation mix in Franklin 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 waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Franklin County Operations
Based on Franklin County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Riparian forest buffers and stream bank stabilization projects protect water quality in this watershed area. Small farm viability programs support diversified agricultural 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 Anderson County, Kansas, Coffey County, Kansas, Douglas County, Kansas, Johnson County, Kansas, Linn County, Kansas, and Miami County, Kansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Franklin County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Kansas guide: Kansas Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.