Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Union County
Elevation across Union County averages about 1,037 feet. The county falls within the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain (MLRA 111) land resource region.
The growing season in Union County spans roughly 275 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 39.4 inches per year. January lows average around 20°F while July highs reach about 84°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,020 farms in Union County, operating across 216,646 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 212 acres. Top commodities include soybeans, corn, and hogs.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Ohio |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Soybeans, Corn, Hogs, Dairy, Wheat |
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 Union County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
18000 St Rt 4, Marysville, OH 43040
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 Union County
The forage year in Union County runs from green-up in July to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 5,475 acres of pastureland and 4,418 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Union County
About 24% of Union County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 36% of farms are small and 7% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 212 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Union County
Union 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 dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; 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 Union County Operations
Based on Union County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize precision agriculture adoption and nutrient management on high-yield soils. Cover crop initiatives help protect soil and water quality in this intensively farmed landscape.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Union County: Champaign County, Ohio, Delaware County, Ohio, Franklin County, Ohio, Hardin County, Ohio, Logan County, Ohio, and Madison County, Ohio. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Union 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.