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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Moore County
Moore County sits within the Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills (MLRA 137) region. Elevation averages about 484 feet.
Temperatures in Moore County range from a January mean low of 31°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.3 inches.
Moore County ran 802 farms, 106,258 acres of farmland, and 11,992 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: tobacco, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Sandhills |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Tobacco, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Moore County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
707 Pinehurst Ave, Carthage, NC 28327
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
2410 Tramway Rd, Sanford, NC 27332
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 Moore County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 16% of farmland in Moore County, about 16,986 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Moore County
Farms in Moore County average 132 acres, and about 39% are small operations. Roughly 18% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,282 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Moore County
With corn and soybeans in the mix in Moore County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground), and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). 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 Moore County Operations
Based on Moore County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Specialty crop programs support fruit growers with irrigation efficiency and integrated pest management practices. Conservation initiatives promote sustainable land use in this rapidly developing region.
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 Chatham County, North Carolina, Cumberland County, North Carolina, Harnett County, North Carolina, Hoke County, North Carolina, Lee County, North Carolina, and Montgomery County, North Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Moore 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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