Queens County, New York: USDA programs and conservation funding

19
Farms & Ranches
69
Acres in Agriculture
4
Avg Farm Size (acres)
Top commodities: Honey, Specialty Animals, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Queens County, New York has 19 farms working 69 agricultural acres (average 4 acres per farm). Leading commodities by sales: Honey, Specialty Animals, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Queens County

Queens County sits within the Long Island-Cape Cod Coastal Lowland (MLRA 149B) region. Elevation averages about 10 feet.

Temperatures in Queens County range from a January mean low of 26°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.5 inches. Expect about 306 frost-free days.

Queens County ran 19 farms, 69 acres of farmland, and 6 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: honey.


Quick Facts

RegionNew York City
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Honey, Floriculture

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Queens County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

423 Griffing Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901

(631) 727-5666

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 Queens County Operations

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

Urban agriculture programs support community gardens and rooftop farming initiatives. Educational farming operations connect urban residents with agricultural practices and local food production.

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 Monmouth County, New Jersey, Bronx County, New York, Kings County, New York, Nassau County, New York, New York County, New York, and Richmond County, New York. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Queens 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 Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.20
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.33
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Queens 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.