Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marshall County
Elevation across Marshall County averages about 1,260 feet. The county falls within the Nebraska and Kansas Loess-Drift Hills (MLRA 106) land resource region.
The growing season in Marshall County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 32.8 inches per year. January lows average around 16°F while July highs reach about 89°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 708 farms in Marshall County, operating across 443,244 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 626 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Hogs, Wheat |
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 Marshall County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1133 Pony Express Hwy, Marysville, KS 66508
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 Marshall County
The forage year in Marshall County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 92,736 acres of pastureland and 16,167 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Marshall County
About 29% of Marshall County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 8% of farms are small and 20% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 626 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Marshall County
Marshall County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Marshall County Operations
Based on Marshall County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Nutrient management programs address concerns about water quality in the Big Blue River watershed. Cover crop adoption increases soil health and reduces erosion in corn-soybean rotation 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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Marshall County: Nemaha County, Kansas, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, Riley County, Kansas, Washington County, Kansas, Gage County, Nebraska, and Pawnee County, Nebraska. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Marshall 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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