Clinton County, Ohio: USDA programs and conservation funding

788
Farms & Ranches
241K
Acres in Agriculture
306
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Hogs, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Clinton County, Ohio has 788 farms working 241,315 agricultural acres (average 306 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

Programs likely to fit Clinton County operations

With 788 farms averaging 306 acres, a grain and soybeans commodity base, vegetation peaking near Jul at 0.73 NDVI, these are the federal programs most worth a closer look. Every program is competitive — confirm fit with your local USDA office.

← Ohio Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Clinton County

Clinton County is part of the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain land resource region (MLRA 111). The county's mean elevation is about 1,049 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Clinton County sees 43.7 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 52.7°F mean annual temperature.

Clinton County carries 1,235 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 4,583 acres. 788 farms operate in the county, averaging 306 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest Ohio
Top CommoditiesSoybeans, Corn, Hogs, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

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 Clinton County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

1415 Us Highway 22 SW Ste 500, Wash Court House, OH 43160

(740) 335-6201

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

111 S Nelson Ave, Wilmington, OH 45177

(937) 382-2461

This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices

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 Clinton County

Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Clinton County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 4,583 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 Clinton County

The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Clinton County at an average farm size of 306 acres, 31% small operations, 19% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 50 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 Clinton County

Given the operation mix in Clinton County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Clinton County Operations

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

Conservation tillage and cover crop programs improve soil health and water quality. Precision agriculture adoption is supported through cost-share and technical assistance programs.

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 Clinton County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brown County, Ohio, Clermont County, Ohio, Fayette County, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio, Highland County, Ohio, and Warren County, Ohio. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Clinton 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.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.50
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.73
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Clinton 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.