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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kent County
Kent County is part of the Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana Drift Plains land resource region (MLRA 98). The county's mean elevation is about 616 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Kent County sees 37.4 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 47.8°F mean annual temperature.
Kent County carries 69 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 6,399 acres. 1,049 farms operate in the county, averaging 137 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Michigan |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture, Dairy, Corn, Hogs, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Kent County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3260 Eagle Park Dr NE Ste 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
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 Kent County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Kent County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 6,399 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Kent County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Kent County at an average farm size of 137 acres, 46% small operations, 18% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 10,984 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Kent County
With milk and corn in the mix in Kent County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Kent County Operations
Based on Kent County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban agriculture programs and farmland preservation initiatives address development pressure on prime agricultural land. Conservation efforts focus on Grand River watershed protection and sustainable intensification of remaining farmland.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Kent County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Allegan County, Michigan, Barry County, Michigan, Ionia County, Michigan, Montcalm County, Michigan, Muskegon County, Michigan, and Newaygo County, Michigan. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Kent 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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