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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marquette County
Marquette County sits within the Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan Drift Plain (MLRA 95) region.
Temperatures in Marquette County range from a January mean low of 9°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 34.7 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Marquette County ran 391 farms, 104,952 acres of farmland, and 8,791 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Vegetables, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, 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 Marquette County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
438 Industrial Drive Ste 1, Westfield, WI 53964
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 Marquette County
Farms in Marquette County average 268 acres, and about 21% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 11,556 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Marquette County
Given the operation mix in Marquette 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 Marquette County Operations
Based on Marquette County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation management and water conservation receive program focus due to sandy soils and specialty crop production. Wetland conservation programs support both cranberry cultivation and wildlife habitat.
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 Adams County, Wisconsin, Columbia County, Wisconsin, Green Lake County, Wisconsin, and Waushara County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Marquette 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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