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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Swift County
Swift County sits within the Rolling Till Prairie (MLRA 102A) region. Elevation averages about 1,027 feet.
Temperatures in Swift County range from a January mean low of 3°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 27.0 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Swift County ran 708 farms, 374,933 acres of farmland, and 10,121 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Horses |
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 Swift County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1430 Utah Ave, Benson, MN 56215
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 Swift County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 3% of farmland in Swift County, about 10,230 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 Swift County
Farms in Swift County average 530 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 22,593 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Swift County
Swift County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Swift County Operations
Based on Swift County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus heavily on wetland restoration and prairie grassland establishment in marginal crop areas. Soil health initiatives promote cover cropping and reduced tillage practices to prevent erosion on sloping fields.
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 Big Stone County, Minnesota, Chippewa County, Minnesota, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, Pope County, Minnesota, and Stevens County, Minnesota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Swift 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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