← Michigan Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Menominee County
Menominee County sits within the Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan Drift Plain (MLRA 95) region. Elevation averages about 744 feet.
Temperatures in Menominee County range from a January mean low of 8°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 30.7 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Menominee County ran 277 farms, 76,513 acres of farmland, and 7,331 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Upper Peninsula |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Maple syrup, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Menominee County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
E106 South Dr, Stephenson, MI 49887
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 Menominee County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Menominee County, about 3,194 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Menominee County
Farms in Menominee County average 276 acres, and about 21% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 20 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Menominee County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Menominee 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 Menominee County Operations
Based on Menominee County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Dairy farms implement manure management systems and grazing improvements through conservation programs. CRP enrollment helps protect wetland areas while providing wildlife habitat.
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 Delta County, Michigan, Dickinson County, Michigan, Marquette County, Michigan, Door County, Wisconsin, and Marinette County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Menominee County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Michigan guide: Michigan Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.