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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Camden County
Camden County sits within the Northern Coastal Plain (MLRA 149A) region. Elevation averages about 151 feet.
Temperatures in Camden County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.9 inches. Expect about 306 frost-free days.
Camden County ran 149 farms, 7,431 acres of farmland, and 84 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, cattle, and cut christmas trees.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Jersey Delaware Valley |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Berries, Floriculture, Soybeans, Cattle & calves |
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 Camden 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 Camden County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Camden County, about 309 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 Camden County
Farms in Camden County average 50 acres, and about 76% are small operations. Roughly 12% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,613 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Camden County
Camden County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, soybeans, and cattle. 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 rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Camden County Operations
Based on Camden County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support small and beginning farmers serving local markets through direct sales and farmers markets. Urban agriculture initiatives and farmland preservation efforts help maintain agricultural viability in this suburban 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Atlantic County, New Jersey, Burlington County, New Jersey, Gloucester County, New Jersey, and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Camden 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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