Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Medina County
Medina County lies in the Lake Erie Glaciated Plateau (MLRA 139) region. Elevation averages about 1,107 feet.
Medina County averages 39.5 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.4°F.
Medina County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and milk. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 1,007 farms working 100,579 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 2,984 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Ohio |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Vegetables, Floriculture, Horses |
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 Medina County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
42110 Russia Rd, Elyria, OH 44035
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
6090 Wedgewood Rd, Medina, OH 44256
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 Medina County
Medina County reported 2,984 head of cattle across roughly 4,231 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Medina County.
Farm Structure in Medina County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Medina County, roughly 1,275 acres. Farms average 100 acres, with about 55% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Medina County
Given the operation mix in Medina County, the practices that most often come up are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies, and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Medina County Operations
Based on Medina County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support sustainable practices on smaller farms serving urban markets, including high tunnel systems and organic transition assistance. Conservation efforts focus on protecting water quality in streams flowing toward Lake Erie.
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
Counties Bordering Medina County
Medina County shares borders with Ashland County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Lorain County, Ohio, Summit County, Ohio, and Wayne County, Ohio. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Medina 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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