Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Harper County
Harper County sits within the Central Rolling Red Prairies (MLRA 80A) region. Elevation averages about 1,371 feet.
Temperatures in Harper County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 94°F. Annual precipitation averages 31.9 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Harper County ran 457 farms, 444,647 acres of farmland, and 30,987 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Wheat, Cotton, Soybeans, Grain sorghum, Sheep |
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 Harper County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
803 W Fanning Dr, Anthony, KS 67003
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 Harper County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 31% of farmland in Harper County, about 139,546 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around October and forage peaks in April. 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 Harper County
Farms in Harper County average 973 acres, and about 4% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 3,293 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Harper County
With cattle and grain in the mix in Harper County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Harper County Operations
Based on Harper County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation and soil erosion control are priority practices in this wheat-cattle region. Drought management and risk mitigation programs help producers adapt to variable precipitation.
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, Kingman County, Kansas, Sumner County, Kansas, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, and Grant County, Oklahoma. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Harper 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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