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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clare County
Clare County sits within the Northern Michigan Sandy Highlands (MLRA 94A) region. Elevation averages about 1,200 feet.
Temperatures in Clare County range from a January mean low of 13°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 33.2 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Clare County ran 336 farms, 46,699 acres of farmland, and 3,163 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Michigan |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Horses, Floriculture |
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 Clare County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1501 N State St, Gladwin, MI 48624
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 Clare County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 11% of farmland in Clare County, about 5,167 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 Clare County
Farms in Clare County average 139 acres, and about 23% are small operations. Roughly 18% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 414 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Clare County
Clare County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, grain, and cattle. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Clare County Operations
Based on Clare County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest stewardship programs integrate agricultural and forestry practices for sustainable land use. Pasture improvement initiatives focus on species selection adapted to sandy soils and variable moisture conditions.
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 Gladwin County, Michigan, Isabella County, Michigan, Mecosta County, Michigan, Midland County, Michigan, Missaukee County, Michigan, and Osceola County, Michigan. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Clare County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Michigan guide: Michigan Farm Programs Guide
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