← Minnesota Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About St. Louis County
St. Louis County sits within the Superior and Rainy Stony and Rocky Till Plains and Moraines (MLRA 93A) region. Elevation averages about 1,586 feet.
Temperatures in St. Louis County range from a January mean low of -3°F to a July mean high near 78°F. Annual precipitation averages 28.3 inches. Expect about 184 frost-free days.
St. Louis County ran 821 farms, 162,061 acres of farmland, and 5,711 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Floriculture, Horses, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 11+ 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 St. Louis County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
4850 Miller Trunk Hwy, Duluth, MN 55811
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 St. Louis County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 12% of farmland in St. Louis County, about 19,311 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 St. Louis County
Farms in St. Louis County average 197 acres, and about 21% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 62 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in St. Louis County
St. Louis County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and 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 St. Louis County Operations
Based on St. Louis County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest management and wildlife habitat programs are more significant than traditional agriculture. Limited agricultural programs focus on supporting small-scale operations and local food systems.
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, Itasca County, Minnesota, Koochiching County, Minnesota, Lake County, Minnesota, and Douglas County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in St. Louis County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Minnesota guide: Minnesota Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.