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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Chase County
Elevation across Chase County averages about 3,327 feet. The county falls within the Central High Tableland (MLRA 72) land resource region.
The growing season in Chase County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 18.9 inches per year. January lows average around 16°F while July highs reach about 90°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 304 farms in Chase County, operating across 544,157 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 1,790 acres. Top commodities include corn, wheat, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwestern Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Vegetables, Wheat, Soybeans, Grain sorghum, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 20+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Chase County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
706 E 5th St, Imperial, NE 69033
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 Chase County
The forage year in Chase County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 250,384 acres of pastureland and 29,792 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Chase County
About 23% of Chase County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 12% of farms are small and 34% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 1,790 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Chase County
Given the operation mix in Chase County, the practices that most often come up are 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 Chase County Operations
Based on Chase County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water conservation technology and irrigation scheduling programs maximize efficiency of limited Republican River allocations. Dryland practices focus on moisture conservation in wheat-corn-fallow rotations.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Chase County: Phillips County, Colorado, Yuma County, Colorado, Dundy County, Nebraska, Hayes County, Nebraska, and Perkins County, Nebraska. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Chase County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Nebraska guide: Nebraska Farm Programs Guide
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