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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Plymouth County
Plymouth County sits within the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Southern Part (MLRA 144A) region. Elevation averages about 65 feet.
Temperatures in Plymouth County range from a January mean low of 21°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 50.6 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Plymouth County ran 809 farms, 54,093 acres of farmland, and 313 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, equine, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Massachusetts |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Vegetables, Dairy, Floriculture, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 14+ 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 Plymouth County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
8 Thatcher Lane, Wareham, MA 02571
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 Plymouth County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Plymouth County, about 1,942 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. 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 Plymouth County
Farms in Plymouth County average 67 acres, and about 60% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 11,766 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Plymouth County
With equine and milk in the mix in Plymouth 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 Plymouth County Operations
Based on Plymouth County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs heavily focus on water quality protection and sustainable management practices in cranberry bog operations. Support provided for integrated pest management and helping growers adapt to climate change impacts on bog systems.
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 Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, and Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Plymouth County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Massachusetts guide: Massachusetts Farm Programs Guide
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