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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lac qui Parle County
Lac qui Parle County is part of the Rolling Till Prairie land resource region (MLRA 102A). The county's mean elevation is about 1,083 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Lac qui Parle County sees 26.4 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 44.5°F mean annual temperature.
Lac qui Parle County carries 4,903 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 15,888 acres. 735 farms operate in the county, averaging 559 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Lac qui Parle County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
122 8th Ave S, Madison, MN 56256
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 Lac qui Parle County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Lac qui Parle County greening up around June and peaking in July. The county carries about 15,888 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 Lac qui Parle County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Lac qui Parle County at an average farm size of 559 acres, 13% small operations, 25% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 4,325 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 Lac qui Parle County
Given the operation mix in Lac qui Parle County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Lac qui Parle County Operations
Based on Lac qui Parle County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality protection for Lac qui Parle Lake and the Minnesota River emphasizes nutrient management and riparian buffers. Grassland and wetland conservation programs balance agricultural production with wildlife habitat needs in this important waterfowl area.
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 Lac qui Parle County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Big Stone County, Minnesota, Chippewa County, Minnesota, Swift County, Minnesota, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, Deuel County, South Dakota, and Grant County, South Dakota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Lac qui Parle 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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