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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Waupaca County
The county falls within the Eastern Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Upper Michigan Drift Plain (MLRA 95) land resource region.
The growing season in Waupaca County spans roughly 214 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 32.6 inches per year. January lows average around 8°F while July highs reach about 81°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 967 farms in Waupaca County, operating across 230,412 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 238 acres. Top commodities include milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Wisconsin |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Waupaca County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1337c Royalton St, Waupaca, WI 54981
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 Waupaca County
About 23% of Waupaca County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 25% of farms are small and 8% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 238 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Waupaca County
Waupaca County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, grain, and corn. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Waupaca County Operations
Based on Waupaca County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on lake water quality protection through nutrient management and shoreline buffers around the Chain O' Lakes. EQIP supports dairy modernization and implementation of soil health practices on crop ground.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Waupaca County: Marathon County, Wisconsin, Outagamie County, Wisconsin, Portage County, Wisconsin, Shawano County, Wisconsin, Waushara County, Wisconsin, and Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Waupaca 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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