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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Berks County
Berks County sits within the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 147) region. Elevation averages about 360 feet.
Temperatures in Berks County range from a January mean low of 21°F to a July mean high near 86°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Berks County ran 1,767 farms, 208,478 acres of farmland, and 36,092 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, mushrooms, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Dairy, Corn, Hogs, Cattle & calves, Soybeans |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 30+ 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 Berks County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1238 County Welfare Rd, Leesport, PA 19533
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 Berks County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 6% of farmland in Berks County, about 13,479 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Berks County
Farms in Berks County average 118 acres, and about 34% are small operations. Roughly 17% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 1,764 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Berks County
Berks County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, mushrooms, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for confined livestock operations, waste management and nutrient planning. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Berks County Operations
Based on Berks County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs address nutrient management for intensive livestock operations and poultry production facilities. Conservation practices emphasize soil health maintenance and water quality protection in the Schuylkill River 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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Chester County, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Berks 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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