Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hodgeman County
Hodgeman County is part of the Rolling Plains and Breaks land resource region (MLRA 73). The county's mean elevation is about 2,316 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Hodgeman County sees 23.2 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 55.3°F mean annual temperature.
Hodgeman County carries 19,465 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 172,535 acres. 439 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,180 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Wheat, Corn, Grain sorghum |
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 Hodgeman County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
323 Main St, Jetmore, KS 67854
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 Hodgeman County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Hodgeman County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 172,535 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 Hodgeman County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Hodgeman County at an average farm size of 1,180 acres, 1% small operations, 33% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 26,421 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 Hodgeman County
Given the operation mix in Hodgeman County, the practices that most often come up are 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 Hodgeman County Operations
Based on Hodgeman County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil conservation practices focus on wind erosion control and maintaining productivity on sandy soils. Drought resilience programs help producers manage risk in this semi-arid environment.
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 Hodgeman County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Edwards County, Kansas, Finney County, Kansas, Ford County, Kansas, Gray County, Kansas, Ness County, Kansas, and Pawnee County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Hodgeman 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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