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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Walworth County
Walworth County sits within the Central Dark Brown Glaciated Plains (MLRA 53B) region. Elevation averages about 1,979 feet.
Temperatures in Walworth County range from a January mean low of 5°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 19.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Walworth County ran 258 farms, 444,144 acres of farmland, and 12,430 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Horses, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 7+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Walworth County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
4307 4th Ave, Selby, SD 57472
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 Walworth County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 33% of farmland in Walworth County, about 144,776 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June 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 Walworth County
Farms in Walworth County average 1,721 acres, and about 9% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,623 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Walworth County
Walworth County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Walworth County Operations
Based on Walworth County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation Reserve Program enrollment is extensive to protect wetland areas and provide wildlife habitat while managing around sensitive areas. Precision agriculture helps farmers optimize production while working around the numerous wetlands and variable soil types.
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 Campbell County, South Dakota, Corson County, South Dakota, Dewey County, South Dakota, Edmunds County, South Dakota, McPherson County, South Dakota, and Potter County, South Dakota. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Walworth County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the South Dakota guide: South Dakota Farm Programs Guide
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