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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Barry County
Barry County sits within the Ozark Highland (MLRA 116A) region. Elevation averages about 1,413 feet.
Temperatures in Barry County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.7 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Barry County ran 1,299 farms, 279,279 acres of farmland, and 91,661 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Missouri |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3).
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 Barry County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3202 County Farm Road, Cassville, MO 65625
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 Barry County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 49% of farmland in Barry County, about 138,160 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Barry County
Farms in Barry County average 215 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 4,620 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Barry County
Given the operation mix in Barry County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Barry County Operations
Based on Barry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize pasture improvement and erosion control on steep Ozark slopes. Cost-share assistance supports pond construction and fencing for rotational grazing 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 Benton County, Arkansas, Carroll County, Arkansas, Lawrence County, Missouri, McDonald County, Missouri, Newton County, Missouri, and Stone County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Barry County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Missouri guide: Missouri Farm Programs Guide
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