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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Mille Lacs County
Mille Lacs County is part of the Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till land resource region (MLRA 90A). The county's mean elevation is about 1,232 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Mille Lacs County sees 30.5 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 42.4°F mean annual temperature.
Mille Lacs County carries 5,490 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 9,637 acres. 603 farms operate in the county, averaging 160 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Dairy, Vegetables |
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 Mille Lacs County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1016 5th Street SE, Milaca, MN 56353
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
14 2nd Ave W, Foley, MN 56329
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 Mille Lacs County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Mille Lacs County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 9,637 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 Mille Lacs County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Mille Lacs County at an average farm size of 160 acres, 27% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 467 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 Mille Lacs County
Mille Lacs County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and cattle. 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 Mille Lacs County Operations
Based on Mille Lacs County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality protection for Mille Lacs Lake emphasizes reducing agricultural nutrient runoff through buffer strips and improved management. Forest-agriculture interface programs support sustainable land use transitions and wildlife habitat conservation.
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 Mille Lacs County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Aitkin County, Minnesota, Benton County, Minnesota, Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Isanti County, Minnesota, Kanabec County, Minnesota, and Morrison County, Minnesota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Mille Lacs 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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