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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lyon County
Lyon County sits within the Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (MLRA 103) region. Elevation averages about 1,257 feet.
Temperatures in Lyon County range from a January mean low of 6°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 28.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Lyon County ran 869 farms, 424,591 acres of farmland, and 12,023 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: hogs, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Hogs, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). 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 Lyon County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1424 E College Dr, Marshall, MN 56258
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 Lyon County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 5% of farmland in Lyon County, about 19,351 acres. 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 Lyon County
Farms in Lyon County average 489 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,482 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Lyon County
Given the operation mix in Lyon 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 Lyon County Operations
Based on Lyon County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Prairie restoration and grassland conservation programs preserve remnant ecosystems while supporting modern agriculture. Water quality protection for the Redwood River emphasizes nutrient management and soil conservation on the intensively cropped landscape.
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 Lincoln County, Minnesota, Murray County, Minnesota, Pipestone County, Minnesota, Redwood County, Minnesota, and Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Lyon 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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