Butler County, Ohio: USDA programs and conservation funding

888
Farms & Ranches
93K
Acres in Agriculture
105
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$6.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Butler County, Ohio has 888 farms working 93,238 agricultural acres (average 105 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $6.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Butler County

Butler County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 788 feet.

Temperatures in Butler County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 43.2 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Butler County ran 888 farms, 93,238 acres of farmland, and 5,287 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Ohio
Top CommoditiesCorn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Wheat

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Butler County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1802 Princeton Rd, Hamilton, OH 45011

(513) 642-3730

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.


Programs for Butler County Operations

Based on Butler County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Farmland preservation and urban edge management are critical concerns. Programs support intensive management practices and alternative enterprises suitable for smaller acreages.

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 Dearborn County, Indiana, Franklin County, Indiana, Union County, Indiana, Hamilton County, Ohio, Montgomery County, Ohio, and Preble County, Ohio. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Butler County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Ohio guide: Ohio Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Vegetation Baseline

0.68
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.85
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Butler County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.