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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Phelps County
Elevation across Phelps County averages about 2,343 feet. The county falls within the Central Loess Plains (MLRA 75) land resource region.
The growing season in Phelps County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 24.9 inches per year. January lows average around 15°F while July highs reach about 88°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 340 farms in Phelps County, operating across 282,710 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 832 acres. Top commodities include corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | South-Central Nebraska |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Vegetables, 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 Phelps County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1609 Burlington St, Holdrege, NE 68949
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 Phelps County
The forage year in Phelps County runs from green-up in June to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 38,647 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Phelps County
About 20% of Phelps County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 9% of farms are small and 25% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 832 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Phelps County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Phelps County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Phelps County Operations
Based on Phelps County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP focuses on irrigation water management and nitrogen application timing to maximize efficiency. CSP supports cover crop adoption and soil health practices in this high-intensity irrigated cropping system.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Phelps County: Buffalo County, Nebraska, Dawson County, Nebraska, Franklin County, Nebraska, Furnas County, Nebraska, Gosper County, Nebraska, and Harlan County, Nebraska. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Phelps 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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