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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Brown County
The county falls within the Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan Drift Plain (MLRA 95) land resource region.
The growing season in Brown County spans roughly 244 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 32.8 inches per year. January lows average around 11°F while July highs reach about 80°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 907 farms in Brown County, operating across 181,018 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 200 acres. Top commodities include milk, cattle, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeastern Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Brown County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3071c Voyager Dr, Green Bay, WI 54311
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 Brown County
The forage year in Brown County runs from green-up in May to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 4,469 acres of pastureland and 48,853 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Brown County
About 24% of Brown County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 38% of farms are small and 6% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 200 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Brown County
Given the operation mix in Brown 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 Brown County Operations
Based on Brown County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban interface programs help manage development pressure on farmland. Nutrient management and soil conservation are priorities due to proximity to Green Bay.
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 Brown County: Calumet County, Wisconsin, Door County, Wisconsin, Kewaunee County, Wisconsin, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, Oconto County, Wisconsin, and Outagamie County, Wisconsin. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Brown 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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