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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Livingston County
Livingston County sits within the Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana Drift Plains (MLRA 98) region. Elevation averages about 929 feet.
Temperatures in Livingston County range from a January mean low of 16°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 33.8 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Livingston County ran 658 farms, 85,787 acres of farmland, and 1,150 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, milk, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Michigan |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Dairy, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Livingston County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
521 Okemos St, Mason, MI 48854
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 Livingston County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Livingston County, about 3,266 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Livingston County
Farms in Livingston County average 130 acres, and about 49% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,710 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Livingston County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Livingston County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Livingston County Operations
Based on Livingston County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Farmland preservation programs work to maintain agricultural viability amid intense development pressure from metropolitan expansion. Conservation efforts focus on protecting Huron River watershed quality and supporting sustainable intensification on 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Genesee County, Michigan, Ingham County, Michigan, Jackson County, Michigan, Oakland County, Michigan, Shiawassee County, Michigan, and Washtenaw County, Michigan. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Livingston 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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