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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Person County
Person County lies in the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 754 feet.
Person County averages 46.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 334 days. Annual mean temperature is 58.1°F.
Person County's agricultural base centers on tobacco, soybeans, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 364 farms working 88,571 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 3,609 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Tobacco, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Hogs |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). 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 Person County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
209 N Graham Hopedale Rd, Burlington, NC 27217
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
304 S Morgan St, Roxboro, NC 27573
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. 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 Person County
Person County reported 3,609 head of cattle across roughly 14,410 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a May 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 Person County.
Farm Structure in Person County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Person County, roughly 1,134 acres. Farms average 243 acres, with about 28% classed as small operations. Around 22% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Person County
Person County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were tobacco, grain, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election, and for specialty-crop acres, high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Person County Operations
Based on Person County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs promote sustainable tobacco production and rotational grazing systems for cattle operations. Stream protection initiatives focus on maintaining water quality in the Hyco Lake watershed.
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 Person County
Person County shares borders with Caswell County, North Carolina, Durham County, North Carolina, Granville County, North Carolina, Orange County, North Carolina, and Halifax County, Virginia. 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 Person 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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