Fulton County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

501
Farms & Ranches
94K
Acres in Agriculture
187
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$6.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Hogs, Grain, Corn, Field Crops, Other
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Fulton County, Pennsylvania has 501 farms working 93,715 agricultural acres (average 187 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $6.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Hogs, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Fulton County

Fulton County lies in the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 147) region. Elevation averages about 785 feet.

Fulton County averages 41.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 51.9°F.

Fulton County's agricultural base centers on milk, hogs, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 501 farms working 93,715 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 9,836 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth-central Pennsylvania
Top CommoditiesDairy, Hogs, Corn, Poultry, Cattle & calves, Soybeans

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 16+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Fulton County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

216 N 2nd St, Mcconnellsburg, PA 17233

(717) 325-6095

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

185 Franklin Farm Ln Ste 202, Chambersburg, PA 17202

(717) 264-8074

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 Fulton County Operations

Based on Fulton County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation practices focus on erosion control and forest edge management on steep mountain slopes. Programs support pasture improvement and wildlife habitat enhancement in this heavily forested region.

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 Fulton County

Fulton County shares borders with Allegany County, Maryland, Washington County, Maryland, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Franklin 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 Fulton 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

0.58
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.86
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Fulton 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.