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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Houston County
Houston County is part of the Upper Mississippi River Bedrock Controlled Uplands and Valleys land resource region (MLRA 105). The county's mean elevation is about 1,211 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Houston County sees 37.2 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 46.0°F mean annual temperature.
Houston County carries 23,760 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 18,368 acres. 797 farms operate in the county, averaging 280 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Hogs, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Houston County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
805 N. Hwy 44, Caledonia, MN 55921
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 Houston County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Houston County greening up around June and peaking in August. The county carries about 18,368 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 Houston County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Houston County at an average farm size of 280 acres, 13% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 483 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 Houston County
Houston County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, milk, 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 dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Houston County Operations
Based on Houston County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize erosion control on steep slopes and water quality protection for the Root River system. Grazing management and streambank stabilization projects are priorities given the county's topography and watershed concerns.
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 Houston County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Allamakee County, Iowa, Winneshiek County, Iowa, Fillmore County, Minnesota, Winona County, Minnesota, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, and Vernon County, Wisconsin. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Houston 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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