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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Howard County
Howard County sits within the Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes (MLRA 115) region. Elevation averages about 667 feet.
Temperatures in Howard County range from a January mean low of 20°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 41.3 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Howard County ran 584 farms, 206,874 acres of farmland, and 5,460 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Missouri |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Poultry |
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 Howard County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
743 State Route Dd, Fayette, MO 65248
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 Howard County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 18% of farmland in Howard County, about 36,208 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 Howard County
Farms in Howard County average 354 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,755 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Howard County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Howard County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Howard County Operations
Based on Howard County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Missouri River corridor management balances flood control with environmental protection through strategic buffer strips. Soil health initiatives promote cover cropping and reduced tillage on highly productive cropland.
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 Boone County, Missouri, Chariton County, Missouri, Cooper County, Missouri, Randolph County, Missouri, and Saline County, Missouri. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Howard 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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