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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Sullivan County
Sullivan County sits within the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Northern Part (MLRA 144B) region. Elevation averages about 712 feet.
Temperatures in Sullivan County range from a January mean low of 10°F to a July mean high near 79°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.9 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.
Sullivan County ran 271 farms, 38,696 acres of farmland, and 2,958 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, maple syrup, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Upper Valley |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Maple syrup, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Sullivan County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
11 Industrial Park Dr, Walpole, NH 03608
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 Sullivan County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Sullivan County, about 2,489 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Sullivan County
Farms in Sullivan County average 143 acres, and about 27% are small operations. Roughly 18% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 144 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Sullivan County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Sullivan County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Sullivan County Operations
Based on Sullivan County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support integrated agriculture-forestry operations common in this rural county with extensive forest cover. Conservation practices emphasize sustainable grazing management and protection of Connecticut River watershed water 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 Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, Windham County, Vermont, and Windsor County, Vermont. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Sullivan 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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