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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Beaver County
Beaver County is part of the Central Allegheny Plateau land resource region (MLRA 126). The county's mean elevation is about 1,141 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Beaver County sees 41.1 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 51.2°F mean annual temperature.
Beaver County carries 2,742 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 6,127 acres. 539 farms operate in the county, averaging 91 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Western Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Hogs, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts |
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 Beaver County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
625 Evans City Rd, Butler, PA 16001
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.
Forage and Grazing in Beaver County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Beaver County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 6,127 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Beaver County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Beaver County at an average farm size of 91 acres, 34% small operations, 22% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 352 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Beaver County
Beaver County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and milk. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Beaver County Operations
Based on Beaver County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support nutrient management for row crop production near river systems and urban interface areas. Conservation practices focus on reducing agricultural runoff into the Ohio River watershed and maintaining soil health.
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 Beaver County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Columbiana County, Ohio, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Butler County, Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and Hancock County, West Virginia. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Beaver County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Pennsylvania guide: Pennsylvania Farm Programs Guide
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