Boyd County, Kentucky: USDA programs and conservation funding

187
Farms & Ranches
24K
Acres in Agriculture
128
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$492K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Honey, Sheep
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Boyd County, Kentucky has 187 farms working 23,843 agricultural acres (average 128 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in May, 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 Boyd County

Elevation across Boyd County averages about 773 feet. The county falls within the Central Allegheny Plateau (MLRA 126) land resource region.

The growing season in Boyd County spans roughly 306 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 45.7 inches per year. January lows average around 24°F while July highs reach about 87°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 187 farms in Boyd County, operating across 23,843 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 128 acres. Top commodities include cattle, honey, and sheep.


Quick Facts

RegionEastern Kentucky
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Poultry, Honey, Sheep, Goats

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Boyd County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

526 E Main St, Grayson, KY 41143

(606) 474-5183

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 Boyd County Operations

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

Riparian buffer programs protect Ohio River water quality while maintaining productive bottomland agriculture. Urban agriculture initiatives support local food production for the Ashland metropolitan area.

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 Boyd County: Carter County, Kentucky, Greenup County, Kentucky, Lawrence County, Kentucky, Lawrence County, Ohio, and Wayne County, West Virginia. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Boyd County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.58
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.80
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Boyd 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.