← New Hampshire Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Carroll County
Carroll 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 519 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Carroll County sees 51.6 in of rain, a 214-day growing season, a 43.9°F mean annual temperature.
Carroll County carries 824 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 963 acres. 219 farms operate in the county, averaging 97 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | White Mountains |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Floriculture, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Corn |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Carroll County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
The Grindle Center, 73 Main St, Conway, NH 03818
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
4 Mayberry Ln, Lancaster, NH 03584
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 Carroll County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Carroll County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 963 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 Carroll County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Carroll County at an average farm size of 97 acres, 43% small operations, 33% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 128 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 Carroll County
Carroll County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, corn, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Carroll County Operations
Based on Carroll County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs address challenges of mountain farming including wildlife damage and harsh weather conditions. Conservation efforts focus on sustainable grazing practices on steep terrain and forest-agriculture interfaces.
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 Carroll County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Oxford County, Maine, York County, Maine, Belknap County, New Hampshire, Coos County, New Hampshire, Grafton County, New Hampshire, and Strafford County, New Hampshire. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Carroll County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New Hampshire guide: New Hampshire Farm Programs Guide
Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.