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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Buffalo County
Buffalo County sits within the Upper Mississippi River Bedrock Controlled Uplands and Valleys (MLRA 105) region.
Temperatures in Buffalo County range from a January mean low of 7°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 35.5 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Buffalo County ran 896 farms, 309,976 acres of farmland, and 29,294 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Poultry, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Buffalo County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
407 S 2nd St, Alma, WI 54610
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 Buffalo County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Buffalo County, about 19,083 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Buffalo County
Farms in Buffalo County average 346 acres, and about 12% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 6,308 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Buffalo County
Given the operation mix in Buffalo 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 Buffalo County Operations
Based on Buffalo County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Steep slope conservation and riparian buffers are major program focuses along the Mississippi River. Terracing and contour farming help prevent soil erosion.
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 Wabasha County, Minnesota, Winona County, Minnesota, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, Pepin County, Wisconsin, and Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Buffalo 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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