Alamance County, North Carolina: USDA programs and conservation funding

724
Farms & Ranches
69K
Acres in Agriculture
95
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Grain, Tobacco, Soybeans, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Alamance County, North Carolina has 724 farms working 68,769 agricultural acres (average 95 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Grain, Tobacco. 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 Alamance County

Elevation across Alamance County averages about 604 feet. The county falls within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 45.4 inches per year. January lows average around 30°F while July highs reach about 89°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 724 farms in Alamance County, operating across 68,769 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 95 acres. Top commodities include cattle, tobacco, and soybeans.


Quick Facts

RegionPiedmont
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Tobacco, Soybeans, Dairy

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 14+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Alamance County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

209 N Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27217

(336) 228-1753

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 Alamance County Operations

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

Conservation programs focus on nutrient management and soil erosion control in areas with development pressure. Beginning farmer initiatives help new operators establish sustainable operations near urban markets.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Alamance County: Caswell County, North Carolina, Chatham County, North Carolina, Guilford County, North Carolina, Orange County, North Carolina, Randolph County, North Carolina, and Rockingham County, North Carolina. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Alamance County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the North Carolina guide: North Carolina Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.62
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.69
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Alamance 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.