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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Mercer County
Mercer County sits within the Northern Coastal Plain (MLRA 149A) region. Elevation averages about 61 feet.
Temperatures in Mercer County range from a January mean low of 24°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.4 inches. Expect about 306 frost-free days.
Mercer County ran 298 farms, 19,030 acres of farmland, and 325 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: soybeans, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central New Jersey |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Soybeans, Corn, Poultry |
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 Mercer County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
4000 Kozloski Rd Ste D, Freehold, NJ 07728
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 Mercer County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 11% of farmland in Mercer County, about 2,068 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 Mercer County
Farms in Mercer County average 64 acres, and about 62% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 667 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Mercer County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Mercer County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Mercer County Operations
Based on Mercer County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support sustainable row crop production and soil conservation practices on the county's productive agricultural lands. Farmland preservation initiatives are essential given the intense development pressure 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 Burlington County, New Jersey, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Middlesex County, New Jersey, Monmouth County, New Jersey, Somerset County, New Jersey, and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Mercer 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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