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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Iredell County
Iredell County lies in the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 789 feet.
Iredell County averages 45.9 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 58.6°F.
Iredell County's agricultural base centers on milk, cattle, and soybeans. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 894 farms working 119,481 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 15,333 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). 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 Iredell County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
444 Bristol Dr, Statesville, NC 28677
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 Iredell County
Iredell County reported 15,333 head of cattle across roughly 25,664 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a June growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Iredell County.
Farm Structure in Iredell County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Iredell County, roughly 677 acres. Farms average 134 acres, with about 38% classed as small operations. Around 25% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Iredell County
Given the operation mix in Iredell County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and 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 Iredell County Operations
Based on Iredell County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Dairy farm environmental programs address nutrient management and water quality protection near Lake Norman. Pasture and forage improvement assistance supports sustainable livestock production systems.
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
Counties Bordering Iredell County
Iredell County shares borders with Alexander County, North Carolina, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Catawba County, North Carolina, Davie County, North Carolina, Lincoln County, North Carolina, and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Iredell 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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