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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Burlington County
Burlington County lies in the Northern Tidewater Area (MLRA 153D) region. Elevation averages about 99 feet.
Burlington County averages 47.0 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 306 days. Annual mean temperature is 54.9°F.
Burlington County's agricultural base centers on soybeans, sod, and cut flowers & cut cultivated greens. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 925 farms working 93,594 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 567 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Jersey Pine Barrens |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Floriculture, Vegetables, Soybeans, Corn |
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 Burlington County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1971 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd, Columbus, NJ 08022
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 Burlington County
Burlington County reported 567 head of cattle across roughly 6,389 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 Burlington County.
Farm Structure in Burlington County
Irrigation covers about 13% of farmland in Burlington County, roughly 12,201 acres. Farms average 101 acres, with about 59% classed as small operations. Around 23% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Burlington County
Burlington County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and sod. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election, and for specialty-crop acres, high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Burlington County Operations
Based on Burlington County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts focus on protecting water quality in the Pinelands while supporting sustainable cranberry and blueberry production. Soil health improvement programs help farmers manage the challenging sandy soils throughout much of the county.
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 Burlington County
Burlington County shares borders with Atlantic County, New Jersey, Camden County, New Jersey, Mercer County, New Jersey, Monmouth County, New Jersey, Ocean County, New Jersey, and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. 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 Burlington County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New Jersey guide: New Jersey Farm Programs Guide
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