Chisago County, Minnesota: USDA programs and conservation funding

740
Farms & Ranches
81K
Acres in Agriculture
110
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Milk, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Chisago County, Minnesota has 740 farms working 81,038 agricultural acres (average 110 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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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

RegionEast Central Minnesota
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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

(651) 674-7051

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

110 Buchanan Street North, Cambridge, MN 55008

(763) 689-3353

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.


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

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Minnesota guide: Minnesota Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.42
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.73
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Chisago County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.