Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Wallace County
Wallace County is part of the Central High Tableland land resource region (MLRA 72). The county's mean elevation is about 3,543 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Wallace County sees 18.5 in of rain, a 245-day growing season, a 52.9°F mean annual temperature.
Wallace County carries 16,647 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 173,410 acres. 285 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,955 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Goats, Sheep, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Wallace County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
115 E 6th, Sharon Springs, KS 67758
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 Wallace County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Wallace County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 173,410 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 Wallace County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Wallace County at an average farm size of 1,955 acres, 3% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 26,270 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 Wallace County
Given the operation mix in Wallace County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Wallace County Operations
Based on Wallace County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports water conservation technologies and precision agriculture in the water-limited environment. CRP enrollment focuses on marginal dryland areas and wildlife habitat establishment in short-grass prairie systems.
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 Wallace County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Cheyenne County, Colorado, Kit Carson County, Colorado, Greeley County, Kansas, Logan County, Kansas, Sherman County, Kansas, and Wichita County, Kansas. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Wallace 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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