Marion County, Florida
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
Rolling hills and sandy soils characterize the Ocala area while the Ocklawaha River creates wetlands and floodplains. Numerous springs and the Ocala National Forest provide diverse landscapes supporting varied agriculture.
Horse farms and cattle ranches dominate agricultural land use with world-renowned thoroughbred operations. Row crop production includes corn, peanuts, and hay while specialty crops serve regional markets.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Central Florida |
| Top Commodities | Horses, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture, Berries |
| Farms & Ranches | ~1,280 (approx.) |
| Agricultural Land | ~290,000 acres |
| Average Farm Size | ~87 acres |
Find Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.
Find your Service Center:
Search for "Marion County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.
What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.
Programs for Marion County Operations
Based on Marion County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize protecting spring water quality and managing nutrients from horse and cattle operations. Equine-specific EQIP practices support pasture management and facility improvements on horse farms.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.
We don't have Marion County's specific LWG priorities yet.
Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Marion County?"
Your Next Steps in Marion 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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