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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Carver County
Carver County is part of the Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies land resource region (MLRA 103). The county's mean elevation is about 956 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Carver County sees 31.9 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 45.0°F mean annual temperature.
Carver County carries 9,747 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 2,743 acres. 606 farms operate in the county, averaging 259 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Twin Cities Metro |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Carver County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
219 E Frontage Rd, Waconia, MN 55387
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1103 Gruenhagen Drive, Glencoe, MN 55336
This county also has 1 additional FSA office. View all offices
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 Carver County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Carver County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 2,743 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Carver County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Carver County at an average farm size of 259 acres, 27% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 129 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Carver County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Carver 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 Carver County Operations
Based on Carver County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs emphasize sustainable practices for intensive operations and support for beginning farmers entering high-value agriculture. Water quality initiatives focus on protecting lakes and the Minnesota River from agricultural runoff.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Carver County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Hennepin County, Minnesota, McLeod County, Minnesota, Scott County, Minnesota, Sibley County, Minnesota, and Wright County, Minnesota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Carver County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Minnesota guide: Minnesota Farm Programs Guide
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