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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
| Region | Seacoast |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries, Poultry, Cattle & calves |
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 Rockingham County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
629 Calef Highway, Knightly Plaza, Suite 203, Epping, NH 03042
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 Rockingham County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Rockingham County, about 2,497 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Rockingham County
Farms in Rockingham County average 50 acres, and about 53% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 224 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Rockingham County
Rockingham County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, equine, and hogs. 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 confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
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
- 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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