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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Lebanon County
Lebanon County lies in the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 147) region. Elevation averages about 565 feet.
Lebanon County averages 47.7 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 51.9°F.
Lebanon County's agricultural base centers on milk, hogs, and corn. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 993 farms working 110,248 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 28,827 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Dairy, Hogs, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans |
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 Lebanon County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
2120 Cornwall Rd Ste 4, Lebanon, PA 17042
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1383 Arcadia Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
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 Lebanon County
Lebanon County reported 28,827 head of cattle across roughly 9,359 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows June green-up and a August growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Lebanon County.
Farm Structure in Lebanon County
Irrigation covers about 2% of farmland in Lebanon County, roughly 1,834 acres. Farms average 111 acres, with about 34% classed as small operations. Around 16% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Lebanon County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Lebanon 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 Lebanon County Operations
Based on Lebanon County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Chesapeake Bay watershed programs emphasize nutrient management and precision agriculture in this intensive farming area. Conservation practices focus on protecting water quality while maintaining high agricultural productivity.
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 Lebanon County
Lebanon County shares borders with Berks County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Schuylkill 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 Lebanon 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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