Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Richland County
Richland County is part of the Lake Erie Glaciated Plateau land resource region (MLRA 139). The county's mean elevation is about 1,265 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Richland County sees 40.7 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 49.7°F mean annual temperature.
Richland County carries 13,213 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 7,798 acres. 1,078 farms operate in the county, averaging 148 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Ohio |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Poultry, Soybeans, Dairy, Hogs, Cattle & calves |
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 Richland County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
804 Us Highway 250 E, Ashland, OH 44805
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1495 W Longview Ave Ste 205b, Mansfield, OH 44906
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 Richland County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Richland County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 7,798 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 Richland County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Richland County at an average farm size of 148 acres, 34% small operations, 19% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 338 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 Richland County
Given the operation mix in Richland County, the practices that most often come up are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; 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 Richland County Operations
Based on Richland County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil health programs promote conservation tillage and cover crops on row crop operations to maintain productivity on the rolling terrain. Dairy operations focus on nutrient management and pasture improvements for environmental stewardship.
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 Richland County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Ashland County, Ohio, Crawford County, Ohio, Huron County, Ohio, Knox County, Ohio, and Morrow County, Ohio. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Richland County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Ohio guide: Ohio Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.