Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Union County
Union County sits within the Southern Blue Ridge (MLRA 130B) region. Elevation averages about 1,886 feet.
Temperatures in Union County range from a January mean low of 28°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 63.9 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Union County ran 248 farms, 30,452 acres of farmland, and 3,870 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: transplants, cattle, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Georgia Mountains |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Horses, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Union County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
165 Wellborn St, Blairsville, GA 30512
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 Union County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 17% of farmland in Union County, about 5,178 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Union County
Farms in Union County average 123 acres, and about 46% are small operations. Roughly 29% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 72 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Union County
With cattle and equine in the mix in Union County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Union County Operations
Based on Union County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP prioritizes pasture management and erosion control on steep mountain slopes. CRP supports native grass restoration and wildlife habitat in high-elevation areas.
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 Fannin County, Georgia, Lumpkin County, Georgia, Towns County, Georgia, White County, Georgia, Cherokee County, North Carolina, and Clay County, North Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Union 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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