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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Cambria County
Cambria County is part of the Eastern Allegheny Plateau and Mountains land resource region (MLRA 127). The county's mean elevation is about 2,095 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Cambria County sees 46.2 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 47.9°F mean annual temperature.
Cambria County carries 1,590 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 3,439 acres. 451 farms operate in the county, averaging 175 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Poultry, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Vegetables |
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 Cambria County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
171 Lovell Av Ste 203, Ebensburg, PA 15931
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 Cambria County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Cambria County greening up around May and peaking in June. The county carries about 3,439 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 Cambria County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Cambria County at an average farm size of 175 acres, 24% small operations, 27% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 187 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 Cambria County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Cambria County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Cambria County Operations
Based on Cambria County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs address steep slope management and erosion control in mountainous farming conditions. Conservation practices focus on sustainable grazing systems and forest-agriculture integration for limited valley farmland areas.
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 Cambria County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Blair County, Pennsylvania, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Cambria 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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