Seminole County, Florida: USDA programs and conservation funding

320
Farms & Ranches
17K
Acres in Agriculture
53
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Specialty Animals, Other, Floriculture, Other, Cattle, Equine, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Seminole County, Florida has 320 farms working 17,031 agricultural acres (average 53 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Specialty Animals, Other, Floriculture, Other, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Sep, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Seminole County

Seminole County lies in the Southern Florida Flatwoods (MLRA 155) region. Elevation averages about 25 feet.

Seminole County averages 51.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 72.6°F.

Seminole County's agricultural base centers on cattle, equine, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 320 farms working 17,031 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 64 head.


Quick Facts

RegionCentral Florida
Top CommoditiesFloriculture, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Honey, Goats

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 9+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Seminole County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

3695 Lake Dr, Cocoa, FL 32926

(321) 349-2327

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

101 Heavensgate Rd, Deland, FL 32720

(386) 985-4037

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.


Programs for Seminole County Operations

Based on Seminole County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

EQIP focuses on water conservation and sustainable production practices for specialty operations. Beginning Farmer programs support new agricultural enterprises adapting to urban interface challenges.

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

Counties Bordering Seminole County

Seminole County shares borders with Brevard County, Florida, Lake County, Florida, Orange County, Florida, and Volusia County, Florida. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Seminole County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Florida guide: Florida Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.77
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.82
Peak season (Sep)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Seminole County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.