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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Washburn County
Washburn County sits within the Wisconsin and Minnesota Thin Loess and Till (MLRA 90A) region.
Temperatures in Washburn County range from a January mean low of 2°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 32.6 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Washburn County ran 317 farms, 70,390 acres of farmland, and 3,901 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, corn, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Poultry, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Deer |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 5+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Washburn County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
800 N Front St, Spooner, WI 54801
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 Washburn County
Farms in Washburn County average 222 acres, and about 18% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,144 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Washburn County
Given the operation mix in Washburn 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 Washburn County Operations
Based on Washburn County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize forest-grassland edge management and wildlife habitat creation in small agricultural openings. CRP supports establishment of native grasslands that provide both wildlife benefits and limited grazing opportunities.
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 Barron County, Wisconsin, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, Burnett County, Wisconsin, Douglas County, Wisconsin, Rusk County, Wisconsin, and Sawyer County, Wisconsin. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Washburn 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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