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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Barron County
The county falls within the Central Wisconsin Thin Loess Dissected Till Plain (MLRA 90B) land resource region.
The growing season in Barron County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 33.3 inches per year. January lows average around 3°F while July highs reach about 80°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,118 farms in Barron County, operating across 282,265 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 252 acres. Top commodities include milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwestern Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Barron County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
335 E Monroe Ave Rm 121, Barron, WI 54812
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 Barron County
The forage year in Barron County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 23,087 acres of pastureland and 31,233 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Barron County
About 24% of Barron County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 20% of farms are small and 8% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 252 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Barron County
Given the operation mix in Barron County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; 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 Barron County Operations
Based on Barron County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts focus on rotational grazing systems and nutrient management for dairy operations. Cover crop adoption is increasing to protect water quality.
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 Barron County: Burnett County, Wisconsin, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, Dunn County, Wisconsin, Polk County, Wisconsin, Rusk County, Wisconsin, and Sawyer County, Wisconsin. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Barron County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Wisconsin guide: Wisconsin Farm Programs Guide
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