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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Traverse County
Traverse County sits within the Glacial Lake Agassiz, Red River Valley (MLRA 56A) region. Elevation averages about 1,023 feet.
Temperatures in Traverse County range from a January mean low of 2°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 25.0 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Traverse County ran 358 farms, 309,539 acres of farmland, and 1,220 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Minnesota |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Traverse County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
304 4th Street N, Wheaton, MN 56296
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 Traverse County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 1% of farmland in Traverse County, about 2,109 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June 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 Traverse County
Farms in Traverse County average 865 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 44 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Traverse County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Traverse County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Traverse County Operations
Based on Traverse County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs prioritize wetland restoration and grassland establishment on marginal cropland to improve water quality in Big Stone Lake. Wind erosion control through shelterbelts and residue management is a key focus on the open prairie landscape.
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, Grant County, Minnesota, Stevens County, Minnesota, Wilkin County, Minnesota, Richland County, North Dakota, and Roberts County, South Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Traverse 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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