Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County is part of the Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills land resource region (MLRA 106). The county's mean elevation is about 1,098 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Jefferson County sees 37.4 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 54.6°F mean annual temperature.
Jefferson County carries 27,709 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 59,683 acres. 846 farms operate in the county, averaging 221 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses |
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 Jefferson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
700 Jefferson St, Oskaloosa, KS 66066
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 Jefferson County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Jefferson County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 59,683 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 Jefferson County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Jefferson County at an average farm size of 221 acres, 25% small operations, 22% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 3,277 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 Jefferson County
Jefferson County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and cattle. 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 Jefferson County Operations
Based on Jefferson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Riparian forest buffers and stream bank protection maintain water quality along the Kansas River corridor. Small farm sustainability programs support diversified operations and beginning farmers.
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 Jefferson County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Atchison County, Kansas, Douglas County, Kansas, Jackson County, Kansas, Leavenworth County, Kansas, and Shawnee County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Jefferson 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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