Person County, North Carolina: USDA programs and conservation funding

364
Farms & Ranches
89K
Acres in Agriculture
243
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$2.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Tobacco, Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Person County, North Carolina has 364 farms working 88,571 agricultural acres (average 243 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $2.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Tobacco, Grain, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

← North Carolina Farm Programs Guide

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

RegionPiedmont
Top CommoditiesTobacco, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Cattle & calves, Hogs

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 14+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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

(336) 228-1753

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

304 S Morgan St, Roxboro, NC 27573

(336) 599-0284

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.


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

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the North Carolina guide: North Carolina Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.75
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.89
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Person County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.