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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marinette County
Marinette County lies in the Michigan Eastern Upper Peninsula Sandy Glacial Deposits (MLRA 94B) region.
Marinette County averages 31.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 42.9°F.
Marinette County's agricultural base centers on milk, corn, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 468 farms working 132,155 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 14,089 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Floriculture |
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 Marinette County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
410 1/2 E Main St, Lena, WI 54139
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.
Farm Structure in Marinette County
Irrigation covers about 2% of farmland in Marinette County, roughly 2,515 acres. Farms average 282 acres, with about 26% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Marinette County
Given the operation mix in Marinette 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 Marinette County Operations
Based on Marinette County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest management integration with agricultural activities receives program emphasis. Wildlife habitat enhancement and water quality protection in forested watersheds are conservation priorities.
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
Counties Bordering Marinette County
Marinette County shares borders with Dickinson County, Michigan, Menominee County, Michigan, Door County, Wisconsin, Florence County, Wisconsin, Forest County, Wisconsin, and Oconto County, Wisconsin. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Marinette 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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