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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Merrimack County
Merrimack County lies in the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Northern Part (MLRA 144B) region. Elevation averages about 436 feet.
Merrimack County averages 47.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 244 days. Annual mean temperature is 45.8°F.
Merrimack County's agricultural base centers on milk, corn, and equine. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 569 farms working 60,942 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 2,622 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Dairy, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Horses |
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 Merrimack County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
10 Ferry St, Concord, NH 03301
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Merrimack County
Merrimack County reported 2,622 head of cattle across roughly 2,549 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Merrimack County.
Farm Structure in Merrimack County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Merrimack County, roughly 565 acres. Farms average 107 acres, with about 40% classed as small operations. Around 27% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Merrimack County
Given the operation mix in Merrimack County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. 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 Merrimack County Operations
Based on Merrimack County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support agricultural diversification and sustainable farming practices in this agriculturally diverse county. Conservation efforts emphasize soil health improvement and water quality protection throughout the Merrimack River watershed.
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 Merrimack County
Merrimack County shares borders with Belknap County, New Hampshire, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, Strafford County, New Hampshire, and Sullivan County, New Hampshire. 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 Merrimack 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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