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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Faribault County
Faribault County sits within the Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (MLRA 103) region. Elevation averages about 1,105 feet.
Temperatures in Faribault County range from a January mean low of 7°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 33.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Faribault County ran 773 farms, 383,231 acres of farmland, and 3,908 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, hogs, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Faribault County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
411 S Grove St Ste 1, Blue Earth, MN 56013
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 Faribault County
Faribault County holds about 1,402 acres of pasture and rangeland. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June 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 Faribault County
Farms in Faribault County average 496 acres, and about 14% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,364 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Faribault County
Faribault County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and hogs. 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Faribault County Operations
Based on Faribault County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs emphasize nutrient management for large livestock operations and soil conservation practices on productive cropland. Water quality initiatives target lakes and streams through agricultural best management practices and precision nutrient application.
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 Kossuth County, Iowa, Winnebago County, Iowa, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, Freeborn County, Minnesota, Martin County, Minnesota, and Waseca County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Faribault 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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