Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Highland County
Highland County sits within the Southern Illinois and Indiana Thin Loess and Till Plain (MLRA 114) region. Elevation averages about 1,057 feet.
Temperatures in Highland County range from a January mean low of 22°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 44.9 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Highland County ran 1,188 farms, 227,859 acres of farmland, and 7,819 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Ohio |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Dairy, 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 Highland County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
514 Harry Sauner Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133
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 Highland County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Highland County, about 14,732 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Highland County
Farms in Highland County average 192 acres, and about 26% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 267 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Highland County
Highland County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Highland County Operations
Based on Highland County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs address both row crop soil conservation and pasture management needs across the diverse terrain. The county supports rotational grazing systems, cover crop adoption, and water quality protection practices while helping farmers adapt to varying soil productivity and topographic challenges.
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 Adams County, Ohio, Brown County, Ohio, Clinton County, Ohio, Fayette County, Ohio, Pike County, Ohio, and Ross County, Ohio. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Highland County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Ohio guide: Ohio Farm Programs Guide
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