Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Gray County
Gray County is part of the Rolling Plains and Breaks land resource region (MLRA 73). The county's mean elevation is about 2,718 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Gray County sees 20.9 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 55.2°F mean annual temperature.
Gray County carries 35,015 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 100,912 acres. 464 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,194 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Soybeans |
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 Gray County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
909 E Avenue A, Cimarron, KS 67835
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 Gray County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Gray County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 100,912 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 Gray County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Gray County at an average farm size of 1,194 acres, 7% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 105,100 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 Gray County
Given the operation mix in Gray County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Gray County Operations
Based on Gray County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation water management and soil health improvement practices are priority conservation areas. Programs support adoption of variable rate technology and nutrient management systems.
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 Gray County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Finney County, Kansas, Ford County, Kansas, Haskell County, Kansas, Hodgeman County, Kansas, and Meade County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Gray 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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