Montgomery County, New York: USDA programs and conservation funding

522
Farms & Ranches
113K
Acres in Agriculture
217
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$16.8M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Cattle, Grain, Field Crops, Other, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Montgomery County, New York has 522 farms working 113,287 agricultural acres (average 217 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $16.8 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Cattle, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Montgomery County

Montgomery County is part of the Ontario-Erie Plain and Finger Lakes Region land resource region (MLRA 101). The county's mean elevation is about 461 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Montgomery County sees 42.0 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 47.0°F mean annual temperature.

Montgomery County carries 15,356 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 9,637 acres. 522 farms operate in the county, averaging 217 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionMohawk Valley
Top CommoditiesDairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Vegetables, Poultry

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 Montgomery County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

4001 St Hwy 5s, Fultonville, NY 12072

(518) 853-4031

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 Montgomery County Operations

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

Nutrient management plans are implemented to protect Mohawk River water quality. Cover crops and no-till practices are promoted on valley croplands to reduce soil erosion.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Montgomery County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Fulton County, New York, Herkimer County, New York, Otsego County, New York, Saratoga County, New York, Schenectady County, New York, and Schoharie County, New York. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Montgomery 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.50
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.79
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Montgomery 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.