Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About York County
Elevation across York County averages about 238 feet. The county falls within the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Northern Part (MLRA 144B) land resource region.
The growing season in York County spans roughly 244 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 49.0 inches per year. January lows average around 13°F while July highs reach about 81°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 689 farms in York County, operating across 50,741 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 74 acres. Top commodities include milk, cattle, and cut christmas trees.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southern Maine Coast |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture, Berries, 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 York County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
306 Us Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074
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 York County
The forage year in York County runs from green-up in March to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 3,445 acres of pastureland and 2,432 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in York County
Roughly 41% 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 74 acres.
What Tends to Fit in York County
Given the operation mix in York County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 York County Operations
Based on York County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Farmland preservation programs help protect agricultural land from development pressure in this rapidly growing region. High-value crop production systems maximize income potential on limited and expensive farmland.
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 York County: Cumberland County, Maine, Oxford County, Maine, Carroll County, New Hampshire, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, and Strafford County, New Hampshire. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in York 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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