Broome County, New York: USDA programs and conservation funding

440
Farms & Ranches
70K
Acres in Agriculture
160
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Corn, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Broome County, New York has 440 farms working 70,489 agricultural acres (average 160 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.3 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

← New York Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Broome County

Broome County lies in the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains (MLRA 140) region. Elevation averages about 988 feet.

Broome County averages 43.8 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 244 days. Annual mean temperature is 46.9°F.

Broome County's agricultural base centers on milk, corn, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 440 farms working 70,489 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 3,381 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthern Tier
Top CommoditiesDairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, 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 Broome County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1163 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY 13905

(607) 723-1384

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 Broome County Operations

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

Watershed protection practices are prioritized for Susquehanna River water quality. Support for transitioning dairy operations and development of alternative agricultural enterprises.

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 Broome County

Broome County shares borders with Chenango County, New York, Cortland County, New York, Delaware County, New York, Tioga County, New York, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, and Wayne 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 Broome 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 FencingEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.54
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.83
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Broome 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.