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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Hyde County
Hyde County sits within the Tidewater Area (MLRA 153B) region. Elevation averages about 3 feet.
Temperatures in Hyde County range from a January mean low of 35°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 53.6 inches.
Hyde County ran 123 farms, 112,445 acres of farmland, and 251 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Plain |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Cotton, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Hyde County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
155 Airport Rd, Washington, NC 27889
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 Hyde County
Hyde County holds about 515 acres of pasture and rangeland. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in July. 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 Hyde County
Farms in Hyde County average 914 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 3 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Hyde County
Given the operation mix in Hyde 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 Hyde County Operations
Based on Hyde County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Wetland conservation programs balance agricultural production with ecosystem protection in this environmentally sensitive coastal area. Hurricane recovery assistance frequently needed for storm damage to crops and infrastructure.
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 Beaufort County, North Carolina, Carteret County, North Carolina, Dare County, North Carolina, Pamlico County, North Carolina, Tyrrell County, North Carolina, and Washington County, North Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Hyde 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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