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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Perkins County
Perkins County is part of the Central High Tableland land resource region (MLRA 72). The county's mean elevation is about 3,387 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Perkins County sees 19.9 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 50.3°F mean annual temperature.
Perkins County carries 12,047 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 107,276 acres. 379 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,476 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Wheat, Grain sorghum, Hogs |
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 Perkins County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
927 Central Ave, Grant, NE 69140
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 Perkins County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Perkins County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 107,276 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 Perkins County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Perkins County at an average farm size of 1,476 acres, 8% small operations, 22% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 121,198 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 Perkins County
Given the operation mix in Perkins County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. 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 Perkins County Operations
Based on Perkins County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports center pivot irrigation efficiency and soil conservation practices on both irrigated and dryland acres. CRP enrollment targets marginal dryland cropland for conversion to permanent grass cover.
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 Perkins County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Phillips County, Colorado, Sedgwick County, Colorado, Chase County, Nebraska, Deuel County, Nebraska, Hayes County, Nebraska, and Keith County, Nebraska. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Perkins 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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