Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Bradford County
Bradford County sits within the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (MLRA 153A) region. Elevation averages about 139 feet.
Temperatures in Bradford County range from a January mean low of 43°F to a July mean high near 92°F. Annual precipitation averages 52.0 inches.
Bradford County ran 418 farms, 61,282 acres of farmland, and 4,552 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, honey, and goats.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Florida |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Honey, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Vegetables, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 36+ 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 Bradford County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
5709 NW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32653
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.
Forage and Grazing in Bradford County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 30% of farmland in Bradford County, about 18,243 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around July and forage peaks in November. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Bradford County
Farms in Bradford County average 147 acres, and about 50% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 4 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Bradford County
Bradford County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, honey, and goats. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for apiaries, pollinator habitat plantings. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Bradford County Operations
Based on Bradford County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation efficiency and plastic mulch management are key technical assistance areas for strawberry growers. Conservation practices focus on nutrient management and water quality protection in agricultural watersheds.
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 Alachua County, Florida, Baker County, Florida, Clay County, Florida, Putnam County, Florida, and Union County, Florida. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Bradford County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Florida guide: Florida Farm Programs Guide
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