Boone County, Kentucky: USDA programs and conservation funding

727
Farms & Ranches
71K
Acres in Agriculture
98
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other, Soybeans, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Boone County, Kentucky has 727 farms working 71,293 agricultural acres (average 98 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Boone County

Elevation across Boone County averages about 714 feet. The county falls within the Kentucky Bluegrass (MLRA 121) land resource region.

The growing season in Boone County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 46.2 inches per year. January lows average around 23°F while July highs reach about 86°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 727 farms in Boone County, operating across 71,293 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 98 acres. Top commodities include cattle, soybeans, and equine.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthern Kentucky
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Soybeans, Floriculture, Vegetables, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Boone County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

6028 Camp Ernst Rd, Burlington, KY 41005

(859) 586-6175

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.


Programs for Boone County Operations

Based on Boone County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Urban interface programs help farmers manage development pressure and maintain agricultural viability. Beginning farmer initiatives support young producers entering high-value specialty crop and livestock 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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Boone County: Dearborn County, Indiana, Ohio County, Indiana, Switzerland County, Indiana, Gallatin County, Kentucky, Grant County, Kentucky, and Kenton County, Kentucky. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Boone County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Kentucky guide: Kentucky Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Vegetation Baseline

0.61
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.90
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Boone County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.