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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Chester County
Chester County is part of the Northern Piedmont land resource region (MLRA 148). The county's mean elevation is about 534 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Chester County sees 48.5 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 53.4°F mean annual temperature.
Chester County carries 312 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 20,508 acres. 1,558 farms operate in the county, averaging 92 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Poultry, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Chester County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
525 Highlands Blvd, Suite 106, Coatesville, PA 19320
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 Chester County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Chester County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 20,508 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 Chester County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Chester County at an average farm size of 92 acres, 45% small operations, 20% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 1,267 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 Chester County
Given the operation mix in Chester County, the practices that most often come up are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies, and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Chester County Operations
Based on Chester County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs emphasize farmland preservation and sustainable practices for high-value specialty crop production. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining agricultural viability in suburban pressure areas and protecting the Brandywine 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Chester County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include New Castle County, Delaware, Cecil County, Maryland, Berks County, Pennsylvania, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Chester 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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