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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Gloucester County
Gloucester County is part of the Northern Coastal Plain land resource region (MLRA 149A). The county's mean elevation is about 138 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Gloucester County sees 46.6 in of rain, a 306-day growing season, a 55.4°F mean annual temperature.
Gloucester County carries 1,858 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,893 acres. 546 farms operate in the county, averaging 77 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Jersey Delaware Valley |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Berries |
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 Gloucester County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
51 Cheney Rd Ste 2, Woodstown, NJ 08098
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 Gloucester County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Gloucester County greening up around May and peaking in August. The county carries about 1,893 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Gloucester County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Gloucester County at an average farm size of 77 acres, 61% small operations, 22% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 8,615 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Gloucester County
Gloucester County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage, and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Gloucester County Operations
Based on Gloucester County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs support sustainable row crop production and soil health improvement on the county's diverse soil types. Farmland preservation initiatives help maintain agricultural viability as suburban development pressure increases.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Gloucester County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include New Castle County, Delaware, Atlantic County, New Jersey, Camden County, New Jersey, Cumberland County, New Jersey, Salem County, New Jersey, and Delaware County, Pennsylvania. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Gloucester 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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