Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Aroostook County
Aroostook County sits within the Northeastern Mountains (MLRA 143) region. Elevation averages about 892 feet.
Temperatures in Aroostook County range from a January mean low of 1°F to a July mean high near 77°F. Annual precipitation averages 41.9 inches. Expect about 184 frost-free days.
Aroostook County ran 720 farms, 305,052 acres of farmland, and 2,531 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Maine |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Barley, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Aroostook County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
139 Market St, Fort Kent, ME 04743
This county also has 2 additional NRCS and 2 additional FSA offices. View all offices
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 Aroostook County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Aroostook County, about 12,467 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Aroostook County
Farms in Aroostook County average 424 acres, and about 13% are small operations. About 11,209 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Aroostook County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Aroostook County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Aroostook County Operations
Based on Aroostook County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Disaster assistance programs are crucial for potato growers facing weather-related challenges and market volatility. EQIP supports soil conservation and irrigation efficiency improvements on large commodity farms.
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 Penobscot County, Maine, Piscataquis County, Maine, Somerset County, Maine, and Washington County, Maine. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Aroostook County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Maine guide: Maine Farm Programs Guide
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