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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Chowan County
Elevation across Chowan County averages about 15 feet. The county falls within the Tidewater Area (MLRA 153B) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 51.1 inches per year. January lows average around 32°F while July highs reach about 89°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 134 farms in Chowan County, operating across 73,439 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 548 acres. Top commodities include cotton, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Plain |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Vegetables, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Chowan County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
730 N Granville St, Edenton, NC 27932
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
512 S Church St, Hertford, NC 27944
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 Chowan County
The forage year in Chowan County runs from green-up in June to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 398 acres of pastureland and 826 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Chowan County
About 23% of Chowan County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 17% of farms are small and 24% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 548 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Chowan County
Given the operation mix in Chowan County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Chowan County Operations
Based on Chowan County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Precision agriculture techniques optimize fertilizer and pesticide applications on large row crop operations. Riparian buffers along the Chowan River reduce agricultural runoff into Albemarle Sound.
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 Chowan County: Bertie County, North Carolina, Gates County, North Carolina, Hertford County, North Carolina, Perquimans County, North Carolina, and Washington County, North Carolina. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Chowan 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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