Cortland County, New York

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

Finger Lakes region with rolling hills, valleys, and several small lakes including Skaneateles Lake's southern tip. Elevations range from 1,100 to over 2,100 feet with fertile valley soils.

Dairy farming predominates with corn and hay production supporting livestock operations. Diversified vegetable production and agritourism complement traditional agriculture.

Quick Facts


Region	Central New York
Top Commodities	Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries
Farms & Ranches	~380 (approx.)
Agricultural Land	~92,000 acres
Average Farm Size	~231 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "Cortland County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for Cortland County Operations

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

Water quality protection for Finger Lakes watershed through nutrient management and cover crops. Support for farm diversification and sustainable dairy farming practices.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have Cortland County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Cortland County?"

Your Next Steps in Cortland 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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