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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Chisago County
Chisago County sits within the Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till (MLRA 90A) region. Elevation averages about 889 feet.
Temperatures in Chisago County range from a January mean low of 4°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 31.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Chisago County ran 740 farms, 81,038 acres of farmland, and 3,823 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 4+ 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 Chisago County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
38814 3rd Ave, North Branch, MN 55056
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
110 Buchanan Street North, Cambridge, MN 55008
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 Chisago County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Chisago County, about 5,087 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Chisago County
Farms in Chisago County average 110 acres, and about 46% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,054 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Chisago County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Chisago 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 Chisago County Operations
Based on Chisago County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on water quality protection for lakes and the St. Croix River watershed. CREP initiatives emphasize riparian buffers and wetland restoration to reduce agricultural impacts on sensitive water resources.
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 Anoka County, Minnesota, Isanti County, Minnesota, Kanabec County, Minnesota, Pine County, Minnesota, Washington County, Minnesota, and Burnett County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Chisago 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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