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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kimball County
Kimball County sits within the Central High Plains, Northern Part (MLRA 67A) region. Elevation averages about 4,931 feet.
Temperatures in Kimball County range from a January mean low of 16°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 16.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Kimball County ran 447 farms, 607,195 acres of farmland, and 10,783 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, cattle, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Barley, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). 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 Kimball County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
311 E 2nd St, Kimball, NE 69145
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 Kimball County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 37% of farmland in Kimball County, about 221,735 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 Kimball County
Farms in Kimball County average 1,358 acres, and about 3% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 21,703 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Kimball County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Kimball 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 Kimball County Operations
Based on Kimball County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CRP addresses wind erosion concerns on marginal cropland through grass seeding and windbreak establishment. EQIP promotes water conservation through efficient irrigation systems and dryland farming techniques.
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 Logan County, Colorado, Weld County, Colorado, Banner County, Nebraska, Cheyenne County, Nebraska, and Laramie County, Wyoming. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Kimball 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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