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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Scotland County
Scotland County sits within the Southern Coastal Plain (MLRA 133A) region. Elevation averages about 256 feet.
Temperatures in Scotland County range from a January mean low of 32°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.8 inches.
Scotland County ran 121 farms, 51,025 acres of farmland, and 160 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Sandhills |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Soybeans, Corn, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 34+ 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 Scotland County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
123 Caroline St, Rockingham, NC 28379
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
440 Caton Rd, Lumberton, NC 28360
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 Scotland County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 1% of farmland in Scotland County, about 680 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around June and forage peaks in August. 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 Scotland County
Farms in Scotland County average 422 acres, and about 28% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 142 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Scotland County
Given the operation mix in Scotland County, the practices that most often come up are 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 Scotland County Operations
Based on Scotland County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Irrigation water management and soil health practices address the challenges of sandy soils and periodic drought. Cotton pest management and soil conservation are primary technical assistance focuses.
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 Hoke County, North Carolina, Moore County, North Carolina, Richmond County, North Carolina, Robeson County, North Carolina, and Marlboro County, South Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Scotland 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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