Lawrence County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

585
Farms & Ranches
97K
Acres in Agriculture
165
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$4.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Grain, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania has 585 farms working 96,812 agricultural acres (average 165 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $4.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Grain, Corn. 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 Lawrence County

Lawrence County sits within the Lake Erie Glaciated Plateau (MLRA 139) region. Elevation averages about 967 feet.

Temperatures in Lawrence County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 42.4 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Lawrence County ran 585 farms, 96,812 acres of farmland, and 5,987 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, corn, and soybeans.


Quick Facts

RegionWestern Pennsylvania
Top CommoditiesDairy, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts

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 Lawrence County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

24 Avalon Court, Suite 200, Mercer, PA 16137

(724) 662-2890

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 Lawrence County Operations

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

Water quality improvement programs focus on the Ohio River watershed through nutrient management and conservation practices. Farm transition and beginning farmer programs support agricultural sustainability.

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

Bordering Counties

If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Columbiana County, Ohio, Mahoning County, Ohio, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Lawrence 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 FencingEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.46
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.60
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lawrence 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.