Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Norton County
Norton County is part of the Rolling Plains and Breaks land resource region (MLRA 73). The county's mean elevation is about 2,413 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Norton County sees 23.3 in of rain, a 245-day growing season, a 52.8°F mean annual temperature.
Norton County carries 14,565 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 190,886 acres. 314 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,436 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Soybeans, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 20+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Norton County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
11506 Pineview Dr, Norton, KS 67654
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 Norton County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Norton County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 190,886 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 Norton County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Norton County at an average farm size of 1,436 acres, 9% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 12,203 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 Norton County
Norton County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, 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 Norton County Operations
Based on Norton County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grassland conservation programs around Keith Sebelius Lake provide wildlife habitat while supporting grazing operations. Drought-resistant crop varieties help producers adapt to variable precipitation patterns typical of northwest Kansas.
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 Norton County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Decatur County, Kansas, Graham County, Kansas, Phillips County, Kansas, Sheridan County, Kansas, Furnas County, Nebraska, and Harlan County, Nebraska. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Norton 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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