Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Belmont County
Belmont County sits within the Central Allegheny Plateau (MLRA 126) region. Elevation averages about 1,143 feet.
Temperatures in Belmont County range from a January mean low of 21°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 42.9 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Belmont County ran 756 farms, 139,632 acres of farmland, and 7,883 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | East Central Ohio |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Vegetables, Horses, Floriculture, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Belmont County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1119 E Main St, Barnesville, OH 43713
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 Belmont County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 39% of farmland in Belmont County, about 54,125 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. 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 Belmont County
Farms in Belmont County average 185 acres, and about 20% are small operations. Roughly 24% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 45 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Belmont County
Given the operation mix in Belmont County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and 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 Belmont County Operations
Based on Belmont County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Pasture and hayland improvement programs address soil erosion and productivity issues on steep terrain. Mine land reclamation for agricultural use receives special conservation attention.
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 Guernsey County, Ohio, Harrison County, Ohio, Jefferson County, Ohio, Monroe County, Ohio, Noble County, Ohio, and Marshall County, West Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Belmont County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Ohio guide: Ohio Farm Programs Guide
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