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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Manistee County
Manistee County sits within the Northwestern Michigan Fruit Belt (MLRA 96) region. Elevation averages about 645 feet.
Temperatures in Manistee County range from a January mean low of 15°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 35.1 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Manistee County ran 278 farms, 33,568 acres of farmland, and 2,016 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, cattle, and cut christmas trees.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Michigan |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Cattle & calves, Berries, Vegetables, Poultry |
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 Manistee County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
8840 Chippewa Hwy, Bear Lake, MI 49614
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
655 N Scottville Rd, Scottville, MI 49454
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 Manistee County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Manistee County, about 1,303 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Manistee County
Farms in Manistee County average 121 acres, and about 29% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,087 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Manistee County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Manistee County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Manistee County Operations
Based on Manistee County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize soil erosion control on sandy soils and forest edge management. Fruit growers utilize EQIP for irrigation systems and integrated pest management practices.
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 Benzie County, Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Michigan, Lake County, Michigan, Mason County, Michigan, Wexford County, Michigan, and Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Manistee 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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