Allegany County, New York: USDA programs and conservation funding

690
Farms & Ranches
117K
Acres in Agriculture
169
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$8.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Grain, Cattle, Corn, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Allegany County, New York has 690 farms working 116,686 agricultural acres (average 169 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $8.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Grain, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Allegany County

Allegany County lies in the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains (MLRA 140) region. Elevation averages about 1,732 feet.

Allegany County averages 40.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 244 days. Annual mean temperature is 45.8°F.

Allegany County's agricultural base centers on milk, cattle, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 690 farms working 116,686 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 8,604 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthern Tier
Top CommoditiesDairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Allegany County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

5425 County Road 48, Belmont, NY 14813

(585) 268-5133

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.


Programs for Allegany County Operations

Based on Allegany County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation practices focus on steep slope management and stream protection in dairy operations. Forestry programs support sustainable timber harvesting and maple production enhancement.

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 Allegany County

Allegany County shares borders with Cattaraugus County, New York, Livingston County, New York, Steuben County, New York, Wyoming County, New York, McKean County, Pennsylvania, and Potter 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 Allegany County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the New York guide: New York Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.46
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Allegany County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.