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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hertford County
Hertford County sits within the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (MLRA 153A) region. Elevation averages about 47 feet.
Temperatures in Hertford County range from a January mean low of 30°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 49.6 inches.
Hertford County ran 97 farms, 67,209 acres of farmland, and 218 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, tobacco, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Plain |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cotton, Tobacco, Soybeans, Corn, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Hertford County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
307 W Tryon Street, Winton, NC 27986
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
104 New Road, Gatesville, NC 27938
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.
Farm Structure in Hertford County
Farms in Hertford County average 693 acres, and about 15% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,281 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hertford County
Given the operation mix in Hertford County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 Hertford County Operations
Based on Hertford County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water quality protection programs focus on the Chowan River watershed and Albemarle Sound ecosystem preservation. Technical assistance emphasizes sustainable crop rotation and nutrient management on highly productive soils.
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 Bertie County, North Carolina, Chowan County, North Carolina, Gates County, North Carolina, Northampton 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 Hertford 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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