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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
| Region | Eastern Kentucky |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Poultry, Honey, Sheep, Goats |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Boyd County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
526 E Main St, Grayson, KY 41143
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 Boyd County
The forage year in Boyd County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 5,609 acres of pastureland and 1,080 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Boyd County
About 25% of Boyd County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 30% of farms are small and 1% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 128 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Boyd County
Boyd County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and honey. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for apiaries, pollinator habitat plantings. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
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
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Kentucky guide: Kentucky Farm Programs Guide
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