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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Mower County
Mower County is part of the Eastern Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies land resource region (MLRA 104). The county's mean elevation is about 1,360 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Mower County sees 36.4 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 44.3°F mean annual temperature.
Mower County carries 8,052 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 3,354 acres. 999 farms operate in the county, averaging 380 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeast Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Vegetables |
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 Mower County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1408 21st Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912
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 Mower County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Mower County greening up around June and peaking in July. The county carries about 3,354 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 Mower County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Mower County at an average farm size of 380 acres, 24% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 6,556 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 Mower County
With milk and corn in the mix in Mower County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Mower County Operations
Based on Mower County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Livestock waste management programs support the county's significant pork production industry with emphasis on environmental protection. Water quality initiatives focus on the Cedar River watershed through nutrient management and conservation practices on intensively farmed land.
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 Mower County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Howard County, Iowa, Mitchell County, Iowa, Worth County, Iowa, Dodge County, Minnesota, Fillmore County, Minnesota, and Freeborn County, Minnesota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Mower 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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