Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Shelby County
Shelby County sits within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) region. Elevation averages about 1,029 feet.
Temperatures in Shelby County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 41.0 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Shelby County ran 933 farms, 210,745 acres of farmland, and 9,749 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | West Central Ohio |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Dairy, 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 Shelby County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
822 Fair Rd, Sidney, OH 45365
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.
Programs for Shelby County Operations
Based on Shelby County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Soil health programs promote cover crops and conservation tillage to maintain the productivity of the intensive row crop systems. Livestock operations focus on nutrient management and waste handling systems to protect water quality in the Great Miami watershed.
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 Auglaize County, Ohio, Champaign County, Ohio, Darke County, Ohio, Logan County, Ohio, Mercer County, Ohio, and Miami County, Ohio. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Shelby 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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