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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cattaraugus County
Cattaraugus County sits within the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains (MLRA 140) region. Elevation averages about 2,103 feet.
Temperatures in Cattaraugus County range from a January mean low of 14°F to a July mean high near 79°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.3 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Cattaraugus County ran 833 farms, 162,947 acres of farmland, and 16,585 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western New York |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Vegetables, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Cattaraugus County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
8 Martha St, Ellicottville, NY 14731
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 Cattaraugus County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 7% of farmland in Cattaraugus County, about 12,074 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 Cattaraugus County
Farms in Cattaraugus County average 196 acres, and about 22% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 510 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Cattaraugus County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Cattaraugus County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Cattaraugus County Operations
Based on Cattaraugus County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Stream corridor protection and rotational grazing systems are emphasized for water quality. Forest stewardship programs support maple production and sustainable timber management.
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 Allegany County, New York, Chautauqua County, New York, Erie County, New York, Wyoming County, New York, McKean County, Pennsylvania, and Warren County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Cattaraugus 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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