Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Graham County
Graham County is part of the Rolling Plains and Breaks land resource region (MLRA 73). The county's mean elevation is about 2,160 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Graham County sees 22.9 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 53.8°F mean annual temperature.
Graham County carries 8,172 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 153,753 acres. 347 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,153 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Wheat, Corn, Cattle & calves, Grain sorghum, Soybeans, Poultry |
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 Graham County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
100 N 12th Ave, Hill City, KS 67642
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 Graham County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Graham County greening up around May and peaking in August. The county carries about 153,753 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 Graham County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Graham County at an average farm size of 1,153 acres, 8% small operations, 28% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 7,499 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 Graham County
Graham County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, wheat, 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 Graham County Operations
Based on Graham County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation programs target marginal cropland conversion to wildlife habitat and grazing land. Water quality protection around Cedar Bluff Reservoir is a conservation priority.
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 Graham County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Gove County, Kansas, Norton County, Kansas, Phillips County, Kansas, Rooks County, Kansas, Sheridan County, Kansas, and Trego County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Graham 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.