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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Pine County
Pine County sits within the Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till (MLRA 90A) region. Elevation averages about 1,082 feet.
Temperatures in Pine County range from a January mean low of 2°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 31.5 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Pine County ran 728 farms, 164,801 acres of farmland, and 9,868 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 6+ 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 Pine County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
260 Morris Ave, Hinckley, MN 55037
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
2008 Mahogany St, Mora, MN 55051
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 Pine County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 14% of farmland in Pine County, about 23,481 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Pine County
Farms in Pine County average 226 acres, and about 14% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 145 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Pine County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Pine County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Pine County Operations
Based on Pine County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest management and wildlife habitat programs complement limited agricultural operations. Grazing management in woodland settings and water quality protection near rivers are emphasized.
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 Aitkin County, Minnesota, Carlton County, Minnesota, Chisago County, Minnesota, Isanti County, Minnesota, Kanabec County, Minnesota, and Burnett County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Pine 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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