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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Iron County
Iron County sits within the Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till (MLRA 90A) region. Elevation averages about 1,598 feet.
Temperatures in Iron County range from a January mean low of 3°F to a July mean high near 78°F. Annual precipitation averages 31.8 inches. Expect about 184 frost-free days.
Iron County ran 114 farms, 19,704 acres of farmland, and 456 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cut christmas trees, cut christmas trees & short term woody trees, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Upper Peninsula |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Maple syrup, Sheep, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Iron County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
420 N. Hooper St., Kingsford, MI 49802
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
E106 South Dr, Stephenson, MI 49887
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 Iron County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Iron County, about 1,236 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Iron County
Farms in Iron County average 173 acres, and about 27% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 6 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Iron County
Given the operation mix in Iron County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. 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 Iron County Operations
Based on Iron County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs primarily focus on forest management and wildlife habitat enhancement on abandoned agricultural lands. Limited technical assistance available for small livestock operations and forage production improvement.
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 Baraga County, Michigan, Dickinson County, Michigan, Gogebic County, Michigan, Houghton County, Michigan, Marquette County, Michigan, and Ontonagon County, Michigan. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Iron 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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