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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County sits within the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Northern Part (MLRA 144B) region. Elevation averages about 710 feet.
Temperatures in Hillsborough County range from a January mean low of 14°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.7 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Hillsborough County ran 570 farms, 39,253 acres of farmland, and 694 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: equine, equine, and maple syrup.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture, Horses, Berries, Maple syrup |
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 Hillsborough County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
468 Route 13 S, Milford, NH 03055
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
10 Ferry St, Concord, NH 03301
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 Hillsborough County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 7% of farmland in Hillsborough County, about 2,722 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in July. 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 Hillsborough County
Farms in Hillsborough County average 69 acres, and about 49% are small operations. Roughly 27% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 867 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hillsborough County
Given the operation mix in Hillsborough County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Hillsborough County Operations
Based on Hillsborough County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs focus on farmland preservation and helping farmers compete with development pressure in this urbanizing region. Conservation practices emphasize sustainable intensification and water quality protection in suburban-agricultural 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Essex County, Massachusetts, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Worcester County, Massachusetts, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, and Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hillsborough 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
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