← North Carolina Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Brunswick County
Brunswick County sits within the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (MLRA 153A) region. Elevation averages about 30 feet.
Temperatures in Brunswick County range from a January mean low of 35°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 55.2 inches.
Brunswick County ran 238 farms, 45,150 acres of farmland, and 428 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: hogs, sod, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Plain |
| Top Commodities | Hogs, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 28+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Brunswick County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
10 Referendum Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Brunswick County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Brunswick County, about 4,272 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in August. 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 Brunswick County
Farms in Brunswick County average 190 acres, and about 34% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,025 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Brunswick County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Brunswick County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations); and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). 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 Brunswick County Operations
Based on Brunswick County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation systems help crops utilize sandy soils while conserving water resources. Salt-tolerant plantings and windbreaks protect agricultural areas from coastal weather impacts.
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 Columbus County, North Carolina, New Hanover County, North Carolina, Pender County, North Carolina, and Horry County, South Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Brunswick County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- 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.