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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Clay County
Clay County sits within the Central Loess Plains (MLRA 75) region. Elevation averages about 1,790 feet.
Temperatures in Clay County range from a January mean low of 15°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 28.0 inches. Expect about 245 frost-free days.
Clay County ran 461 farms, 365,518 acres of farmland, and 34,958 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and sorghum.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Grain sorghum, Honey, Horses, Goats |
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 Clay County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
120 W Fairfield St, Clay Center, NE 68933
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 Clay County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 15% of farmland in Clay County, about 54,046 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 Clay County
Farms in Clay County average 793 acres, and about 13% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 233,617 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Clay County
Clay 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 row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Clay County Operations
Based on Clay County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Nutrient management programs address intensive corn-soybean rotations and cattle feeding operations to protect groundwater. Precision agriculture adoption includes GPS guidance systems and variable rate fertilizer application.
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 Adams County, Nebraska, Fillmore County, Nebraska, Hamilton County, Nebraska, Nuckolls County, Nebraska, Webster County, Nebraska, and York County, Nebraska. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Clay 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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