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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Shawano County
Shawano County is part of the Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan Drift Plain land resource region (MLRA 95).
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Shawano County sees 32.7 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 43.7°F mean annual temperature.
Shawano County carries 53,325 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 6,787 acres. 1,029 farms operate in the county, averaging 246 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Wheat, Maple syrup |
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 Shawano County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
603a Lakeland Rd, Shawano, WI 54166
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 Shawano County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Shawano County at an average farm size of 246 acres, 20% small operations, 19% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,144 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Shawano County
Given the operation mix in Shawano 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 Shawano County Operations
Based on Shawano County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on Wolf River watershed protection through riparian buffers and nutrient management. EQIP supports modernization of dairy facilities and implementation of precision agriculture technologies.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Shawano County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brown County, Wisconsin, Langlade County, Wisconsin, Marathon County, Wisconsin, Menominee County, Wisconsin, Oconto County, Wisconsin, and Outagamie County, Wisconsin. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Shawano 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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