Guilford County, North Carolina: USDA programs and conservation funding

775
Farms & Ranches
95K
Acres in Agriculture
122
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Tobacco, Soybeans, Cattle, Milk
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Guilford County, North Carolina has 775 farms working 94,798 agricultural acres (average 122 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Tobacco, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

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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

RegionPiedmont
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Floriculture, Tobacco, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 14+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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

(336) 228-1753

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

3309 Burlington Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405

(336) 375-5401

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.


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

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. 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.

Vegetation Baseline

0.33
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.43
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Guilford County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.