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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
| Region | Southern Tier |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Broome County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1163 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY 13905
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 Broome County
Broome County reported 3,381 head of cattle across roughly 6,071 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Broome County.
Farm Structure in Broome County
Broome County reports about 272 acres under irrigation. Farms average 160 acres, with about 22% classed as small operations. Around 24% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Broome County
Given the operation mix in Broome County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
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
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New York guide: New York Farm Programs Guide
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