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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Frontier County
Frontier County is part of the Rolling Plains and Breaks land resource region (MLRA 73). The county's mean elevation is about 2,570 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Frontier County sees 22.0 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 51.0°F mean annual temperature.
Frontier County carries 23,030 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 280,363 acres. 338 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,523 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Horses |
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 Frontier County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
106 E 1st Street, Curtis, NE 69025
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1400 W 5th St, Mccook, NE 69001
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 Frontier County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Frontier County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 280,363 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Frontier County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Frontier County at an average farm size of 1,523 acres, 9% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 61,107 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Frontier County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Frontier 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 Frontier County Operations
Based on Frontier County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports irrigation improvements in valley areas and range management practices on grazing land. CRP enrollment includes marginal cropland conversion and riparian forest buffers.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Frontier County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Dawson County, Nebraska, Furnas County, Nebraska, Gosper County, Nebraska, Hayes County, Nebraska, Hitchcock County, Nebraska, and Lincoln County, Nebraska. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Frontier 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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