Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Ottawa County
Ottawa County sits within the Central Kansas Sandstone Hills (MLRA 74) region. Elevation averages about 1,277 feet.
Temperatures in Ottawa County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 30.4 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Ottawa County ran 401 farms, 381,011 acres of farmland, and 19,806 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, 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 Ottawa County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
877 Laurel St, Minneapolis, KS 67467
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 Ottawa County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 39% of farmland in Ottawa County, about 149,064 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Ottawa County
Farms in Ottawa County average 950 acres, and about 8% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 9,251 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Ottawa County
Given the operation mix in Ottawa County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Ottawa County Operations
Based on Ottawa County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality initiatives focus on nutrient management in the Solomon River watershed to protect downstream water resources. Young farmer programs provide mentorship and financial assistance for beginning producers in diversified crop and livestock operations.
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 Clay County, Kansas, Cloud County, Kansas, Dickinson County, Kansas, Lincoln County, Kansas, Mitchell County, Kansas, and Saline County, Kansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Ottawa 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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