Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Smith County
Smith County sits within the Rolling Plains and Breaks (MLRA 73) region. Elevation averages about 1,807 feet.
Temperatures in Smith County range from a January mean low of 16°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 26.0 inches. Expect about 245 frost-free days.
Smith County ran 447 farms, 551,930 acres of farmland, and 11,466 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Sheep, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Smith County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
319 Roger Barta Way, Smith Center, KS 66967
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 Smith County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 30% of farmland in Smith County, about 167,911 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Smith County
Farms in Smith County average 1,235 acres, and about 4% are small operations. Roughly 31% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 7,429 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Smith County
Given the operation mix in Smith 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 Smith County Operations
Based on Smith County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP supports integrated crop-livestock systems and native grassland conservation practices. CRP enrollment targets riparian areas and highly erodible cropland for soil and water conservation.
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 Jewell County, Kansas, Osborne County, Kansas, Phillips County, Kansas, Rooks County, Kansas, Franklin County, Nebraska, and Webster County, Nebraska. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Smith 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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