Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County is part of the Great Bend Sand Plains land resource region (MLRA 79). The county's mean elevation is about 1,319 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Sedgwick County sees 34.5 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 57.3°F mean annual temperature.
Sedgwick County carries 9,638 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 56,130 acres. 1,283 farms operate in the county, averaging 370 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Wheat, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Grain sorghum |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Sedgwick County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
11832 W Central Ave Ste 100, Wichita, KS 67212
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 Sedgwick County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Sedgwick County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 56,130 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 Sedgwick County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Sedgwick County at an average farm size of 370 acres, 27% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 41,050 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 Sedgwick County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Sedgwick 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 Sedgwick County Operations
Based on Sedgwick County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports urban-edge farming with emphasis on nutrient management and water quality protection. Beginning Farmer programs focus on small-scale operations and direct marketing to urban consumers.
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 Sedgwick County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Butler County, Kansas, Cowley County, Kansas, Harvey County, Kansas, Kingman County, Kansas, Reno County, Kansas, and Sumner County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Sedgwick County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Kansas guide: Kansas Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.