Adair County, Missouri: USDA programs and conservation funding

804
Farms & Ranches
249K
Acres in Agriculture
310
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$19.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Cattle, Corn, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Adair County, Missouri has 804 farms working 249,382 agricultural acres (average 310 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $19.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Adair County

Adair County sits within the Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain (MLRA 109) region. Elevation averages about 928 feet.

Temperatures in Adair County range from a January mean low of 17°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 40.7 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Adair County ran 804 farms, 249,382 acres of farmland, and 19,817 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, cattle, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central Missouri
Top CommoditiesSoybeans, Cattle & calves, Corn, Poultry, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts

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 Adair County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

2410 S Franklin St, Kirksville, MO 63501

(660) 665-3274

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 Adair County Operations

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

Conservation programs emphasize soil health improvements and stream buffer establishment along waterways. Cost-share assistance supports cover crop adoption and nutrient management planning.

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 Knox County, Missouri, Linn County, Missouri, Macon County, Missouri, Putnam County, Missouri, Schuyler County, Missouri, and Scotland County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Adair County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water DevelopmentCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.49
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.89
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Adair 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.