Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Riley County
Riley County sits within the Bluestem Hills (MLRA 76) region. Elevation averages about 1,297 feet.
Temperatures in Riley County range from a January mean low of 18°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 33.4 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Riley County ran 424 farms, 209,517 acres of farmland, and 10,223 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Grain sorghum, Wheat, 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 Riley County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3705 Miller Parkway, Manhattan, KS 66503
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 Riley County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 46% of farmland in Riley County, about 96,330 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Riley County
Farms in Riley County average 494 acres, and about 19% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,467 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Riley County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Riley County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Riley County Operations
Based on Riley County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP emphasizes native grassland management and prescribed burning practices in the Flint Hills ecosystem. Beginning Farmer programs support new ranchers and specialty crop producers serving local markets.
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, Geary County, Kansas, Marshall County, Kansas, Pottawatomie County, Kansas, Wabaunsee County, Kansas, and Washington County, Kansas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Riley 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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