← North Carolina Farm Programs Guide
Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Guilford County
Elevation across Guilford County averages about 800 feet. The county falls within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 45.5 inches per year. January lows average around 29°F while July highs reach about 89°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 775 farms in Guilford County, operating across 94,798 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 122 acres. Top commodities include tobacco, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Floriculture, Tobacco, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Exceptional Drought (D4). LFP-eligible for 35+ 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 Guilford County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
209 N Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27217
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405
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 Guilford County
The forage year in Guilford County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 17,165 acres of pastureland and 5,505 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Guilford County
About 21% of Guilford County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 46% of farms are small and 4% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 122 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Guilford County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Guilford County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Guilford County Operations
Based on Guilford County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban agriculture programs support local food systems and beginning farmers in the Triad metropolitan area. Conservation assistance emphasizes sustainable practices on small farms facing development pressure.
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 Guilford County: Alamance County, North Carolina, Davidson County, North Carolina, Forsyth County, North Carolina, Randolph County, North Carolina, Rockingham County, North Carolina, and Stokes County, North Carolina. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Guilford 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.