Renville County, Minnesota: USDA programs and conservation funding

931
Farms & Ranches
626K
Acres in Agriculture
672
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$57.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Renville County, Minnesota has 931 farms working 626,065 agricultural acres (average 672 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $57.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Renville County

Renville County is part of the Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies land resource region (MLRA 103). The county's mean elevation is about 1,101 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Renville County sees 29.4 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 44.7°F mean annual temperature.

Renville County carries 9,550 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 5,706 acres. 931 farms operate in the county, averaging 672 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth Central
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Renville County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1008 W Lincoln Ave, Olivia, MN 56277

(320) 523-1550

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.


Programs for Renville County Operations

Based on Renville County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Minnesota River water quality improvement drives conservation programs with focus on nutrient management. Wetland restoration and buffer strips are emphasized to reduce agricultural runoff.

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 Renville County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brown County, Minnesota, Chippewa County, Minnesota, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, McLeod County, Minnesota, Meeker County, Minnesota, and Nicollet County, Minnesota. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Renville County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Minnesota guide: Minnesota Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.24
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.88
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Renville County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.