Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jackson County
Elevation across Jackson County averages about 1,159 feet. The county falls within the Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills (MLRA 106) land resource region.
The growing season in Jackson County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 35.7 inches per year. January lows average around 17°F while July highs reach about 89°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 783 farms in Jackson County, operating across 263,210 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 336 acres. Top commodities include cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Wheat, Grain sorghum |
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 Jackson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
307 Montana Ave, Holton, KS 66436
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 Jackson County
The forage year in Jackson County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 110,888 acres of pastureland and 49,689 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Jackson County
About 25% of Jackson County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 14% of farms are small and 10% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 336 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Jackson County
Jackson County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, cattle, 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 Jackson County Operations
Based on Jackson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wetland restoration and grassland conservation protect wildlife habitat and water quality in this ecologically diverse county. Stream corridor buffers along the Kansas River are priority conservation areas.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Jackson County: Atchison County, Kansas, Brown County, Kansas, Jefferson County, Kansas, Nemaha County, Kansas, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, and Shawnee County, Kansas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Jackson 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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