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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cherry County
Cherry County sits within the Nebraska Sand Hills (MLRA 65) region. Elevation averages about 3,049 feet.
Temperatures in Cherry County range from a January mean low of 13°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 22.0 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Cherry County ran 610 farms, 3,795,779 acres of farmland, and 134,459 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Nebraska Sandhills |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Bison, Wheat, Sheep |
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 Cherry County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
39311 Highway 2, Thedford, NE 69166
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
518 W Highway 20, Valentine, NE 69201
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Cherry County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 87% of farmland in Cherry County, about 3,316,032 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Cherry County
Farms in Cherry County average 6,223 acres, and about 6% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 64,576 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cherry County
Cherry County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Cherry County Operations
Based on Cherry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Large-scale grassland conservation programs maintain the ecological integrity of this pristine Sandhills ecosystem. Prescribed burning and rotational grazing systems mimic natural processes to sustain native plant communities.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.
Cherry County Conservation Priorities
Cherry County is Nebraska's largest county and the heart of the Sandhills, with cow-calf ranching on native grass-covered dunes, with hay harvested from sub-irrigated meadows. The fragile Sandhills ecosystem shapes conservation priorities here:
- Prescribed grazing: Grazing management is the single most important practice in the Sandhills. Rotational systems that prevent overgrazing on sandy, erosion-prone soils score well in EQIP ranking.
- Livestock water development: The Sandhills sit atop the Ogallala Aquifer, making well-fed water systems feasible. Solar-powered pumps, pipelines, and tanks distribute cattle and protect natural lakes and wetlands from concentrated use.
- Grassland management: Maintaining the native warm-season and cool-season grass mix that stabilizes the dunes. This includes invasive species control (eastern redcedar and Kentucky bluegrass encroachment) and prescribed burning.
- Wetland and lake protection: Cherry County has hundreds of natural Sandhills lakes and wet meadows. Fencing and alternative water protect these areas, which are important for waterfowl and other wildlife.
- Fencing: Cross-fencing for grazing management and perimeter fencing for new conservation practices. Wildlife-friendly designs are preferred in this landscape.
Insurance note: Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) can help Cherry County cow-calf operations manage price risk on feeder cattle. PRF insurance is a strong fit here, the Sandhills are entirely dependent on rainfall for forage production, and PRF may provide indemnity payments during dry years.
Confirm current priorities with your local NRCS office. Annual LWG meetings are open to all producers.
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Blaine County, Nebraska, Brown County, Nebraska, Grant County, Nebraska, Hooker County, Nebraska, Keya Paha County, Nebraska, and Sheridan County, Nebraska. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cherry 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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