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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Harrison County
Harrison County sits within the Iowa and Missouri Heavy Till Plain (MLRA 109) region. Elevation averages about 1,003 feet.
Temperatures in Harrison County range from a January mean low of 16°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 38.6 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Harrison County ran 987 farms, 403,261 acres of farmland, and 11,828 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Missouri |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Wheat, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Harrison County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1400 N 41st St, Bethany, MO 64424
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 Harrison County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 16% of farmland in Harrison County, about 63,960 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. 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 Harrison County
Farms in Harrison County average 409 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 4 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Harrison County
Harrison 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Harrison County Operations
Based on Harrison County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation drainage systems help manage excess water on flat fields while protecting downstream water quality. Cover crop adoption continues to increase as farmers focus on soil health improvement.
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 Decatur County, Iowa, Ringgold County, Iowa, Daviess County, Missouri, Gentry County, Missouri, Grundy County, Missouri, and Mercer County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Harrison 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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