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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Presque Isle County
Presque Isle County sits within the Northern Michigan Limestone Lake Plains (MLRA 94C) region. Elevation averages about 599 feet.
Temperatures in Presque Isle County range from a January mean low of 12°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 31.3 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Presque Isle County ran 280 farms, 70,263 acres of farmland, and 1,290 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Lower Peninsula |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Soybeans, Corn, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Presque Isle County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
21090 M 68 Ste B, Onaway, MI 49765
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 Presque Isle County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Presque Isle County, about 2,895 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. 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 Presque Isle County
Farms in Presque Isle County average 251 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,569 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Presque Isle County
Presque Isle County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Presque Isle County Operations
Based on Presque Isle County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grazing operations implement rotational systems and pasture improvements through conservation programs. Limestone soils require specific nutrient management approaches supported by technical assistance programs.
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 Alpena County, Michigan, Cheboygan County, Michigan, Chippewa County, Michigan, Mackinac County, Michigan, and Montmorency County, Michigan. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Presque Isle 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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