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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Rice County
Rice County lies in the Central Iowa and Minnesota Till Prairies (MLRA 103) region. Elevation averages about 1,114 feet.
Rice County averages 35.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 44.8°F.
Rice County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and hogs. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,111 farms working 249,881 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 9,646 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Poultry, Dairy, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Rice County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1810 30th St NW, Faribault, MN 55021
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 Rice County
Rice County reported 9,646 head of cattle across roughly 4,548 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Rice County.
Farm Structure in Rice County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Rice County, roughly 2,271 acres. Farms average 225 acres, with about 28% classed as small operations. Around 20% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Rice County
With milk and corn in the mix in Rice 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 Rice County Operations
Based on Rice County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality protection programs focus on the Cannon River watershed with nutrient management practices. Beginning farmer programs support agricultural transitions in this productive farming area.
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
Counties Bordering Rice County
Rice County shares borders with Dakota County, Minnesota, Dodge County, Minnesota, Goodhue County, Minnesota, Le Sueur County, Minnesota, Scott County, Minnesota, and Steele County, Minnesota. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Rice 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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