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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Orange County
Elevation across Orange County averages about 795 feet. The county falls within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 46.9 inches per year. January lows average around 29°F while July highs reach about 89°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 687 farms in Orange County, operating across 53,068 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 77 acres. Top commodities include corn, cattle, and soybeans.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Floriculture, Corn, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Soybeans |
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 Orange County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
209 N Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27217
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
306 Revere Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
This county also has 1 additional NRCS and 1 additional FSA offices. 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.
Forage and Grazing in Orange County
The forage year in Orange County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in July (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 10,337 acres of pastureland and 5,972 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Orange County
About 22% of Orange County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 42% of farms are small and 1% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 77 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Orange County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Orange County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Orange County Operations
Based on Orange County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Sustainable agriculture programs support organic and local food production systems serving the Chapel Hill-Durham market. Conservation practices focus on stream protection and farmland preservation 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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Orange County: Alamance County, North Carolina, Caswell County, North Carolina, Chatham County, North Carolina, Durham County, North Carolina, and Person County, North Carolina. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Orange 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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