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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Polk County
Polk County sits within the Glacial Lake Agassiz, Red River Valley (MLRA 56A) region. Elevation averages about 1,001 feet.
Temperatures in Polk County range from a January mean low of -2°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 23.2 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Polk County ran 1,223 farms, 1,083,394 acres of farmland, and 5,300 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: wheat, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest |
| Top Commodities | Wheat, Soybeans, Corn, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Dairy |
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 Polk County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
528 Strander Ave, Crookston, MN 56716
This county also has 1 additional NRCS and 1 additional FSA offices. View all offices
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 Polk County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 2% of farmland in Polk County, about 25,046 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Polk County
Farms in Polk County average 886 acres, and about 8% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 13,059 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Polk County
Polk County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, wheat, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — 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 Polk County Operations
Based on Polk County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Drainage management and flood control programs are essential due to periodic Red River flooding. Soil conservation practices focus on maintaining organic matter and preventing wind erosion.
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 Clearwater County, Minnesota, Mahnomen County, Minnesota, Marshall County, Minnesota, Norman County, Minnesota, Pennington County, Minnesota, and Red Lake County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Polk 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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