Rockingham County, New Hampshire: USDA programs and conservation funding

527
Farms & Ranches
27K
Acres in Agriculture
50
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$435K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Equine, Hogs, Tomatoes
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Rockingham County, New Hampshire has 527 farms working 26,537 agricultural acres (average 50 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Equine. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, 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 Rockingham County

Rockingham County sits within the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Southern Part (MLRA 144A) region. Elevation averages about 156 feet.

Temperatures in Rockingham County range from a January mean low of 15°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.8 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.

Rockingham County ran 527 farms, 26,537 acres of farmland, and 1,431 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and hogs.


Quick Facts

RegionSeacoast
Top CommoditiesFloriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries, Poultry, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 30+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Rockingham County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

629 Calef Highway, Knightly Plaza, Suite 203, Epping, NH 03042

(603) 679-1587

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 Rockingham County Operations

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

Programs emphasize farmland preservation and coastal water quality protection in this high-development-pressure region. Conservation practices focus on nutrient management and buffer strips to protect coastal estuaries and groundwater quality.

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 York County, Maine, Essex County, Massachusetts, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, and Strafford County, New Hampshire. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Rockingham County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. 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.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.57
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.89
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Rockingham 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.