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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cass County
Cass County sits within the Northern Minnesota Gray Drift (MLRA 57) region. Elevation averages about 1,345 feet.
Temperatures in Cass County range from a January mean low of -1°F to a July mean high near 79°F. Annual precipitation averages 27.2 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Cass County ran 488 farms, 134,449 acres of farmland, and 8,296 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Wheat, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 13+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Cass County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
7118 Clearwater Rd, Baxter, MN 56425
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 Cass County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 30% of farmland in Cass County, about 40,456 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 Cass County
Farms in Cass County average 276 acres, and about 13% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 6 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cass County
Cass County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, 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 row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Cass County Operations
Based on Cass County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize wildlife habitat enhancement and forest management practices. CRP enrollments focus on marginal agricultural lands that provide better wildlife habitat than crop production value.
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 Aitkin County, Minnesota, Beltrami County, Minnesota, Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Hubbard County, Minnesota, Itasca County, Minnesota, and Morrison County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cass 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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