Wilson County, North Carolina: USDA programs and conservation funding

207
Farms & Ranches
126K
Acres in Agriculture
610
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Tobacco, Grain, Soybeans, Cotton, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Wilson County, North Carolina has 207 farms working 126,286 agricultural acres (average 610 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Tobacco, Grain, Soybeans. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Wilson County

Wilson County is part of the Southern Coastal Plain land resource region (MLRA 133A). The county's mean elevation is about 122 feet.

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Wilson County sees 49.0 in of rain, a 60.9°F mean annual temperature.

Wilson County carries 193 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 2,146 acres. 207 farms operate in the county, averaging 610 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionCoastal Plain
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Poultry, Tobacco, Soybeans, Cotton, Corn

Current Conditions

Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 13+ 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 Wilson County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

1806 Goldsboro St SW, Wilson, NC 27893

(252) 237-5147

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 Wilson County Operations

Based on Wilson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Sweet potato production utilizes specialized conservation practices for soil health and water management. Nutrient management plans for livestock operations protect water quality in the Contentnea Creek 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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Wilson County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Edgecombe County, North Carolina, Greene County, North Carolina, Johnston County, North Carolina, Nash County, North Carolina, Pitt County, North Carolina, and Wayne County, North Carolina. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Wilson 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 FencingEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water DevelopmentCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.31
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.42
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Wilson 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.