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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County is part of the Southern Piedmont land resource region (MLRA 136). The county's mean elevation is about 628 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Cabarrus County sees 45.4 in of rain, a 60.3°F mean annual temperature.
Cabarrus County carries 4,294 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 11,182 acres. 630 farms operate in the county, averaging 102 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Cabarrus County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
715 Cabarrus Ave W, Concord, NC 28027
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 Cabarrus County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Cabarrus County greening up around April and peaking in May. The county carries about 11,182 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Cabarrus County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Cabarrus County at an average farm size of 102 acres, 48% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,675 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Cabarrus County Operations
Based on Cabarrus County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban edge conservation practices help remaining farms coexist with residential development. Beginning farmer programs help establish new operations on preserved agricultural land.
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 Cabarrus County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Iredell County, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Rowan County, North Carolina, Stanly County, North Carolina, and Union County, North Carolina. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Cabarrus 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
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