Howard County, Maryland

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Rolling Piedmont hills with the Patapsco River flowing through the eastern portion of the county. Rapid suburban development has consumed much of the historic farmland.

Limited agriculture focuses on horses, nurseries, and specialty crops serving the affluent suburban population. High land values restrict farming to intensive, high-value production systems.

Quick Facts


Region	Central Maryland
Top Commodities	Corn, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Wheat
Farms & Ranches	~120 (approx.)
Agricultural Land	~38,000 acres
Average Farm Size	~109 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "Howard County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for Howard County Operations

Based on Howard County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Programs focus on preserving remaining agricultural land and supporting high-value enterprises near urban markets. Water quality protection targets the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay tributaries.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have Howard County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Howard County?"

Your Next Steps in Howard County

Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
Read the Maryland guide: Maryland Farm Programs Guide

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