Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Wichita County
Elevation across Wichita County averages about 3,297 feet. The county falls within the Central High Tableland (MLRA 72) land resource region.
The growing season in Wichita County spans roughly 245 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 19.1 inches per year. January lows average around 18°F while July highs reach about 92°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 266 farms in Wichita County, operating across 459,188 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,726 acres. Top commodities include corn, wheat, and sorghum.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Kansas |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Goats, Poultry |
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 Wichita County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
612 W Broadway, Leoti, KS 67861
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 Wichita County
The forage year in Wichita County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 54,734 acres of pastureland and 4,340 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Wichita County
About 16% of Wichita County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 4% of farms are small and 28% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 1,726 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Wichita County
Given the operation mix in Wichita 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 Wichita County Operations
Based on Wichita County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Drought mitigation and rangeland management are primary conservation focuses given the county's semi-arid conditions. Producers commonly enroll marginal cropland in CRP to establish native grass cover for wildlife habitat and erosion control.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Wichita County: Greeley County, Kansas, Hamilton County, Kansas, Kearny County, Kansas, Logan County, Kansas, Scott County, Kansas, and Wallace County, Kansas. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Wichita 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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