← Connecticut Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About New London County
Based on 1991–2020 normals, New London County sees 47.1 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 50.7°F mean annual temperature.
New London County carries 7,032 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 8,225 acres. 804 farms operate in the county, averaging 85 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Connecticut |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Berries, Corn |
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 New London County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
238 W Town St, Norwich, CT 06360
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 New London County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts New London County at an average farm size of 85 acres, 43% small operations, 31% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,079 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 New London County
Given the operation mix in New London 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 New London County Operations
Based on New London County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Coastal buffer programs protect water quality in estuaries and support both agricultural and aquaculture operations. Pasture improvement initiatives enhance dairy farm sustainability in the county's rolling terrain.
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 New London County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Hartford County, Connecticut, Middlesex County, Connecticut, Tolland County, Connecticut, Windham County, Connecticut, Suffolk County, New York, and Kent County, Rhode Island. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in New London County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Connecticut guide: Connecticut Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.