Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Phillips County
Phillips County sits within the Rolling Plains and Breaks (MLRA 73) region. Elevation averages about 1,971 feet.
Temperatures in Phillips County range from a January mean low of 17°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 24.3 inches. Expect about 245 frost-free days.
Phillips County ran 378 farms, 460,080 acres of farmland, and 14,955 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, cattle, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Hogs, Grain sorghum, Soybeans |
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 Phillips County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1717 Highway 183, Phillipsburg, KS 67661
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 Phillips County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 42% of farmland in Phillips County, about 195,056 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in July. 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 Phillips County
Farms in Phillips County average 1,217 acres, and about 7% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,900 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Phillips County
Given the operation mix in Phillips 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 waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Phillips County Operations
Based on Phillips County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wildlife habitat enhancement around Kirwin Reservoir provides hunting and recreational opportunities while supporting agricultural operations. Water conservation practices help optimize irrigation efficiency and extend groundwater resources.
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 Graham County, Kansas, Norton County, Kansas, Rooks County, Kansas, Smith County, Kansas, Franklin County, Nebraska, and Harlan County, Nebraska. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Phillips 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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