Marquette County, Michigan: USDA programs and conservation funding

212
Farms & Ranches
35K
Acres in Agriculture
165
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$363K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Deer, Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Hogs, Tomatoes
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Marquette County, Michigan has 212 farms working 34,930 agricultural acres (average 165 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Deer, Field Crops, Other, Cattle. 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 Marquette County

Marquette County lies in the Superior Stony and Rocky Loamy Plains and Hills (MLRA 93B) region. Elevation averages about 963 feet.

Marquette County averages 32.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 184 days. Annual mean temperature is 40.5°F.

Marquette County's agricultural base centers on deer, cattle, and hogs. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 212 farms working 34,930 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 571 head.


Quick Facts

RegionUpper Peninsula
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Deer, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture

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 Marquette County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

780 Commerce Dr, Marquette, MI 49855

(906) 226-8871

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

2003 Minneapolis Ave, Gladstone, MI 49837

(906) 428-1060

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 Marquette County Operations

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

Programs focus on wildlife habitat enhancement and forest management practices. Limited agricultural activity emphasizes sustainable practices for harsh climate conditions.

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 Marquette County

Marquette County shares borders with Alger County, Michigan, Baraga County, Michigan, Delta County, Michigan, Dickinson County, Michigan, Houghton County, Michigan, and Iron 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 Marquette 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

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Vegetation Baseline

0.34
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Marquette 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.