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USDA SUBSIDY DATA · 2024 · EWG / FOIA

USDA Subsidy Payments in Merrick County, Nebraska

Merrick County received $15.0M in farm subsidies (2024).

Merrick County at a Glance
Agricultural Producers
N/A
Top Commodities
N/A
USDA Payments
$15.0M
Subsidy Recipients
533
Land Value?
N/A
Cropland Rent?
N/A
22 USDA programs currently accepting applications. Find programs for your farm →
533 farmers in Merrick County received $15.0M in 2024
Average payment: $28,170 per recipient
Program Breakdown — Merrick County

Merrick County, Nebraska received $15.0M in total farm subsidies (2024).

Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) $214,512
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) $175,307
Disaster Payments $1.9M
Crop Insurance Subsidies $6.4M
Dairy Programs $4,028
Total $15.0M
Top Recipients — Merrick County (533 total)

Businesses shown by full name; individuals shown by initials (FOIA/EWG data).

1. Hake Agricultural Operations LLC — Palmer, NE 68864
$71,719
2. Lincoln Williams Farms LLC — Denton, NE 68339
$62,431
3. Van Pelt Farms Inc — Archer, NE 68816
$51,195
4. Nkw Farms LLC — Palmer, NE 68864
$47,453
5. Ziemba Family Farms, LLC — Silver Creek, NE 68663
$47,377
6. A.C.H. — Marquette, NE 68854
$41,966
7. W.L.B. — Palmer, NE 68864
$35,131
8. D.D. — Central City, NE 68826
$32,191
9. Brandes Brothers LLC — Central City, NE 68826
$30,863
10. C.D.R. — Palmer, NE 68864
$30,483
11. S.N.D. — Central City, NE 68826
$28,529
12. H.L.D. — Central City, NE 68826
$28,172
13. Two Rivers Farms Inc — Grand Island, NE 68801
$27,839
14. L.S. — Archer, NE 68816
$26,209
15. T.D. — Clarks, NE 68628
$23,895
16. L.J.D. — Clarks, NE 68628
$23,895
17. Tsn Farms Inc — Clarks, NE 68628
$23,351
18. J.E. — Palmer, NE 68864
$22,735
19. Hanquist Farms LLC — Clarks, NE 68628
$22,098
20. J.L.H. — Archer, NE 68816
$20,522
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How to Apply — Open Programs

These USDA programs are currently accepting applications. Visit your local NRCS/FSA office to get started.

ARC-CO (Agriculture Risk Coverage — County) FSA

Provides revenue loss protection when actual county crop revenue drops below a benchmark. Payment is automatic once enrolled — no claim needed.

Value: $8–$75/acre depending on crop and county revenue shortfall
Complexity: Low — sign election at FSA, 15 minutes
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • FSA farm number (FSA will have it on file)
PLC (Price Loss Coverage) FSA

Provides price protection when the national average price for a covered commodity drops below its reference price. Pays on base acres, not planted acres.

Value: $0–$125+/acre depending on how far price drops below reference
Complexity: Low — sign election at FSA, 15 minutes
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • FSA farm number
CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) FSA

Annual rental payments for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and planting conservation cover (grass, trees, buffers). 10-15 year contracts.

Value: $50–$300+/acre/year depending on soil rental rate in your county
Complexity: Medium — FSA evaluates your offer using Environmental Benefits Index
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • FSA farm number
  • Deed or lease for the land
  • Cropping history (last 6 years)
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) NRCS

Cost-share payments (typically 50-75%) for conservation practices: cover crops, fencing, water systems, nutrient management, erosion control, and more.

Value: Cost-share typically 50-75% of practice cost (90% for beginning farmers). Payment limits removed for FY2025.
Complexity: Low to apply (2-page form), then NRCS develops conservation plan with you
Where: Your local NRCS office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • Deed or lease
  • Description of conservation concerns
CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) NRCS

Annual payments for maintaining and improving existing conservation practices. If you're already doing cover crops, no-till, or rotational grazing — you may already qualify.

Value: $4,000–$40,000+/year depending on acres and practices (minimum raised from $1,500 to $4,000 in FY2024)
Complexity: Medium — NRCS evaluates your existing conservation and scores it
Where: Your local NRCS office
Bring:
  • Photo ID
  • Deed or lease
  • Description of current conservation practices
Federal Crop Insurance RMA

Government-subsidized crop insurance. The government pays ~60% of your premium. Protects against yield loss, revenue loss, or both.

Value: Premium subsidy saves $5–$30+/acre; coverage at 50-85% of expected revenue
Complexity: Low-Medium — agent handles paperwork, you choose coverage level
Where: Through a private crop insurance agent (not FSA/NRCS)
Bring:
  • Production records (yield history)
  • Acreage information
  • FSA farm/tract numbers
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USDA Funding Rank — Merrick County, Nebraska ?
533 subsidy recipients were funded in Merrick County in 2024.
29th
percentile in Nebraska
Ranked 67th of 93 counties · $2.3M total
0th 50th 100th
What this means: Merrick County receives more USDA funding than 29% of counties in Nebraska. Farmers in this county may want to explore additional USDA program options.

Want the full list of every subsidy recipient in Merrick County?

See All Recipients on EWG →

Environmental Working Group publishes full USDA FOIA data.

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Data Sources

All data is from public federal sources. Updated periodically — verify current details at your local USDA office.

Program information sourced from USDA. Eligibility described here is general guidance only. Confirm at your local FSA or NRCS office. FarmGrant is not affiliated with USDA.