Cambria County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

451
Farms & Ranches
79K
Acres in Agriculture
175
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$5.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Cambria County, Pennsylvania has 451 farms working 78,843 agricultural acres (average 175 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $5.3 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Grain, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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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

RegionSouth Central Pennsylvania
Top CommoditiesDairy, Poultry, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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

(814) 472-5501

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.


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

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Pennsylvania guide: Pennsylvania Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.53
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.93
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Cambria County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.