Luce County, Michigan: USDA programs and conservation funding

47
Farms & Ranches
8K
Acres in Agriculture
171
Avg Farm Size (acres)
Top commodities: Cut Christmas Trees, Cut Christmas Trees & Short Term Woody Trees, Field Crops, Other, Tomatoes, Hogs
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Luce County, Michigan has 47 farms working 8,037 agricultural acres (average 171 acres per farm). Leading commodities by sales: Cut Christmas Trees, Cut Christmas Trees & Short Term Woody Trees, Field Crops, Other. 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 Luce County

Luce County lies in the Michigan Eastern Upper Peninsula Sandy Glacial Deposits (MLRA 94B) region. Elevation averages about 800 feet.

Luce County averages 33.9 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 184 days. Annual mean temperature is 40.9°F.

Luce County's agricultural base centers on cut christmas trees, cut christmas trees & short term woody trees, and tomatoes. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 47 farms working 8,037 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 448 head.


Quick Facts

RegionUpper Peninsula
Top CommoditiesFloriculture, Vegetables, Poultry, Hogs, Honey

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 Luce County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

2847 Ashmun St, Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

(906) 632-9611

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 Luce County Operations

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

Programs focus on wildlife habitat enhancement and forest management on abandoned agricultural lands. Limited technical assistance available for small livestock operations and soil improvement on marginal agricultural sites.

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

Counties Bordering Luce County

Luce County shares borders with Alger County, Michigan, Chippewa County, Michigan, Mackinac County, Michigan, and Schoolcraft County, Michigan. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Luce 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

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.43
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.78
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Luce 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.