Dickinson County, Michigan: USDA programs and conservation funding

133
Farms & Ranches
19K
Acres in Agriculture
146
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$475K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Grain, Cattle, Deer, Specialty Animals, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Dickinson County, Michigan has 133 farms working 19,463 agricultural acres (average 146 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Grain, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Dickinson County

Elevation across Dickinson County averages about 1,119 feet. The county falls within the Michigan Eastern Upper Peninsula Sandy Glacial Deposits (MLRA 94B) land resource region.

The growing season in Dickinson County spans roughly 184 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 30.6 inches per year. January lows average around 5°F while July highs reach about 79°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 133 farms in Dickinson County, operating across 19,463 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 146 acres. Top commodities include cattle and deer.


Quick Facts

RegionUpper Peninsula
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Cattle & calves, Deer, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Hogs

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 Dickinson County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

420 N. Hooper St., Kingsford, MI 49802

(906) 774-1550

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

E106 South Dr, Stephenson, MI 49887

(906) 753-6921

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 Dickinson County Operations

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

Conservation programs focus on improving marginal agricultural lands through pasture renovation and soil amendment programs. Disaster assistance helps farmers cope with challenging weather conditions and short growing seasons.

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 Dickinson County: Iron County, Michigan, Marquette County, Michigan, Menominee County, Michigan, Florence County, Wisconsin, and Marinette County, Wisconsin. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Dickinson County

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

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Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.31
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Dickinson 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.