Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Richmond County
Elevation across Richmond County averages about 317 feet. The county falls within the Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills (MLRA 137) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 45.7 inches per year. January lows average around 36°F while July highs reach about 92°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 123 farms in Richmond County, operating across 18,978 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 154 acres. Top commodities include soybeans, corn, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Georgia |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Floriculture, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves |
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 Richmond County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
452 Walker Street, Augusta, GA 30901
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 Richmond County
The forage year in Richmond County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in June (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 1,177 acres of pastureland and 144 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Richmond County
About 18% of Richmond County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 43% of farms are small and 7% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 154 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Richmond County
Given the operation mix in Richmond County, the practices that most often come up are 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 Richmond County Operations
Based on Richmond County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban agriculture programs support local food systems and beginning farmers. Water quality initiatives protect the Savannah River from agricultural runoff.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Richmond County: Burke County, Georgia, Columbia County, Georgia, Jefferson County, Georgia, McDuffie County, Georgia, Aiken County, South Carolina, and Edgefield County, South Carolina. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Richmond 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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