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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Wake County
Wake County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 329 feet.
Temperatures in Wake County range from a January mean low of 31°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 48.0 inches.
Wake County ran 664 farms, 62,323 acres of farmland, and 3,585 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: tobacco, soybeans, and sod.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Tobacco, Vegetables, Floriculture, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries |
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 Wake County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
4001 Carya Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610
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 Wake County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 9% of farmland in Wake County, about 5,428 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 Wake County
Farms in Wake County average 94 acres, and about 49% are small operations. Roughly 17% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 2,307 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Wake County
Given the operation mix in Wake County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 Wake County Operations
Based on Wake County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Urban agriculture and farmland preservation programs support remaining farms amid intense development pressure. Environmental practices focus on protecting Falls Lake water quality and managing stormwater runoff.
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, Durham County, North Carolina, Franklin County, North Carolina, Granville County, North Carolina, Harnett County, North Carolina, and Johnston County, North Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Wake 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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