Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Burke County
Burke County lies in the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) region. Elevation averages about 303 feet.
Burke County averages 46.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 64.6°F.
Burke County's agricultural base centers on milk, cotton, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 403 farms working 214,575 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 23,019 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Georgia |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cotton, Corn, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Burke County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
452 Walker Street, Augusta, GA 30901
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
715 W 6th St, Waynesboro, GA 30830
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Burke County
Burke County reported 23,019 head of cattle across roughly 14,859 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a August growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Burke County.
Farm Structure in Burke County
Irrigation covers about 20% of farmland in Burke County, roughly 42,525 acres. Farms average 532 acres, with about 14% classed as small operations. Around 27% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Burke County
With milk and corn in the mix in Burke County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies), and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Burke County Operations
Based on Burke County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Savannah River watershed protection programs emphasize riparian buffer establishment and nutrient management practices. Irrigation efficiency initiatives help farmers optimize water use during drought periods affecting crop production.
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 Burke County
Burke County shares borders with Emanuel County, Georgia, Jefferson County, Georgia, Jenkins County, Georgia, Richmond County, Georgia, Screven County, Georgia, and Aiken County, South Carolina. 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 Burke County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Georgia guide: Georgia Farm Programs Guide
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