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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Gates County
Gates County sits within the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (MLRA 153A) region. Elevation averages about 31 feet.
Temperatures in Gates County range from a January mean low of 30°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 49.7 inches.
Gates County ran 122 farms, 71,866 acres of farmland, and 1,284 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, hogs, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Plain |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cotton, Hogs, Soybeans, Corn, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Gates County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
104 New Road, Gatesville, NC 27938
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 Gates County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 2% of farmland in Gates County, about 1,315 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Gates County
Farms in Gates County average 589 acres, and about 27% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 5,112 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Gates County
Given the operation mix in Gates County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and waste management and nutrient planning for confined livestock operations. 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 Gates County Operations
Based on Gates County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wetland conservation programs protect valuable ecosystems while maintaining agricultural productivity on suitable soils. Assistance emphasizes sustainable crop rotation and wildlife habitat enhancement on working lands.
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 Camden County, North Carolina, Chowan County, North Carolina, Hertford County, North Carolina, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Perquimans County, North Carolina, and Southampton County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Gates 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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