Bracken County, Kentucky: USDA programs and conservation funding

557
Farms & Ranches
90K
Acres in Agriculture
162
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Tobacco, Grain, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Bracken County, Kentucky has 557 farms working 90,102 agricultural acres (average 162 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Tobacco. Vegetation typically peaks in May, 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 Bracken County

Bracken County sits within the Kentucky Bluegrass (MLRA 121) region. Elevation averages about 796 feet.

Temperatures in Bracken County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Bracken County ran 557 farms, 90,102 acres of farmland, and 5,575 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, tobacco, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthern Kentucky
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Tobacco, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Sheep

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 Bracken County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1925 Old Main St, Maysville, KY 41056

(606) 759-5763

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 Bracken County Operations

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

Riparian forest buffers along the Ohio and Licking rivers protect water quality while maintaining agricultural productivity. Soil conservation practices address erosion on the rolling interior hills.

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 Harrison County, Kentucky, Mason County, Kentucky, Pendleton County, Kentucky, Robertson County, Kentucky, Brown County, Ohio, and Clermont County, Ohio. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Bracken 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.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water DevelopmentCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.58
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.88
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Bracken 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.