Labette County, Kansas: USDA programs and conservation funding

842
Farms & Ranches
364K
Acres in Agriculture
433
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$110.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Wheat, Corn, Soybeans
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Labette County, Kansas has 842 farms working 364,342 agricultural acres (average 433 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $110.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Wheat. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Labette County

Labette County sits within the Cherokee Prairies (MLRA 112) region. Elevation averages about 912 feet.

Temperatures in Labette County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 44.2 inches. Expect about 303 frost-free days.

Labette County ran 842 farms, 364,342 acres of farmland, and 66,353 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionSoutheast Kansas
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, Sheep, Horses

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 7+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Labette County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

115 W Fourth, Altamont, KS 67330

(620) 784-5431

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.


Programs for Labette County Operations

Based on Labette County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Riparian forest management and stream corridor protection maintain water quality in this watershed region. Small farm viability programs support diversified agricultural operations and local food 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

Bordering Counties

If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Cherokee County, Kansas, Crawford County, Kansas, Montgomery County, Kansas, Neosho County, Kansas, Craig County, Oklahoma, and Nowata County, Oklahoma. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Labette County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Kansas guide: Kansas Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.44
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.53
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Labette County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.