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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Blair County
Blair County lies in the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 147) region. Elevation averages about 1,366 feet.
Blair County averages 42.1 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 244 days. Annual mean temperature is 49.6°F.
Blair County's agricultural base centers on milk, corn, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 456 farms working 95,605 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 31,124 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Soybeans, Floriculture |
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 Blair County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
1407 Blair St, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
10605 Raystown Rd, Huntingdon, PA 16652
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 Blair County
Blair County reported 31,124 head of cattle across roughly 5,130 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows May green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Blair County.
Farm Structure in Blair County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Blair County, roughly 637 acres. Farms average 210 acres, with about 21% classed as small operations. Around 21% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Blair County
Blair County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, grain, and corn. 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 Blair County Operations
Based on Blair County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize steep slope stabilization and pasture management in mountainous terrain. Focus on sustainable practices for limited valley farmland and integration of forestry with agricultural operations.
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
Counties Bordering Blair County
Blair County shares borders with Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Centre County, Pennsylvania, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.
Your Next Steps in Blair 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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