Queen Anne's County, Maryland: USDA programs and conservation funding

505
Farms & Ranches
162K
Acres in Agriculture
321
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Milk
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Queen Anne's County, Maryland has 505 farms working 162,145 agricultural acres (average 321 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Queen Anne's County

Queen Anne's County lies in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain (MLRA 153C) region. Elevation averages about 34 feet.

Queen Anne's County averages 44.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 306 days. Annual mean temperature is 56.3°F.

Queen Anne's County's agricultural base centers on corn, soybeans, and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 505 farms working 162,145 acres.


Quick Facts

RegionEastern Shore
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Dairy, Floriculture

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Queen Anne's County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

215 E Water St, Centreville, MD 21617

(410) 758-1671

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.


Programs for Queen Anne's County Operations

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

Chesapeake Bay water quality programs promote cover crops and nutrient management on large grain farms. Wetland conservation projects balance agricultural drainage with habitat protection.

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

Counties Bordering Queen Anne's County

Queen Anne's County shares borders with Kent County, Delaware, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Caroline County, Maryland, Kent County, Maryland, and Talbot County, Maryland. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Queen Anne's County

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

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

CRPEQIP Water DevelopmentCSP

Vegetation Baseline

0.55
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Queen Anne's County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.