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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Elliott County
Elliott County sits within the Western Allegheny Plateau (MLRA 124) region. Elevation averages about 842 feet.
Temperatures in Elliott County range from a January mean low of 24°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.2 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Elliott County ran 310 farms, 41,226 acres of farmland, and 1,778 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Kentucky |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Poultry, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Hogs |
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 Elliott 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 Elliott County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 29% of farmland in Elliott County, about 12,105 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 Elliott County
Farms in Elliott County average 133 acres, and about 14% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up.
What Tends to Fit in Elliott County
Elliott County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and equine. 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Elliott County Operations
Based on Elliott County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP prioritizes erosion control and pasture improvement on steep terrain to prevent soil loss. Conservation programs support forest management and wildlife habitat enhancement on marginal agricultural lands.
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 Carter County, Kentucky, Lawrence County, Kentucky, Morgan County, Kentucky, and Rowan County, Kentucky. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Elliott 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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