Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lincoln County
Lincoln County is part of the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Northern Part land resource region (MLRA 144B). The county's mean elevation is about 139 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Lincoln County sees 48.2 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 45.3°F mean annual temperature.
Lincoln County carries 800 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 2,272 acres. 306 farms operate in the county, averaging 87 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Mid-Coast Maine |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Poultry, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 4+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Lincoln County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
2305 North Belfast Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330
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 Lincoln County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Lincoln County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 2,272 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Lincoln County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Lincoln County at an average farm size of 87 acres, 39% small operations, and about 216 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Lincoln County
Given the operation mix in Lincoln County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Lincoln County Operations
Based on Lincoln County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Coastal zone management practices address saltwater intrusion and storm surge impacts on agricultural lands. Small farm diversification programs support value-added enterprises and direct marketing operations.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Lincoln County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Kennebec County, Maine, Knox County, Maine, Sagadahoc County, Maine, and Waldo County, Maine. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Lincoln 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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