Lycoming County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

918
Farms & Ranches
182K
Acres in Agriculture
198
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$5.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Hogs, Soybeans, Milk
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Lycoming County, Pennsylvania has 918 farms working 181,550 agricultural acres (average 198 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $5.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Hogs. 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 Lycoming County

Elevation across Lycoming County averages about 1,646 feet. The county falls within the Eastern Allegheny Plateau and Mountains (MLRA 127) land resource region.

The growing season in Lycoming County spans roughly 244 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 45.0 inches per year. January lows average around 17°F while July highs reach about 82°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 918 farms in Lycoming County, operating across 181,550 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 198 acres. Top commodities include corn, hogs, and soybeans.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth-central Pennsylvania
Top CommoditiesCorn, Hogs, Poultry, Soybeans, Dairy, Cattle & calves

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

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 Lycoming County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

542 County Farm Rd, Montoursville, PA 17754

(570) 433-5100

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 Lycoming County Operations

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

Susquehanna River watershed programs focus on nutrient management and stream protection through conservation practices. Forest-agriculture interface management addresses wildlife habitat and sustainable land use.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Lycoming County: Bradford County, Pennsylvania, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Montour County, Pennsylvania, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and Potter County, Pennsylvania. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Lycoming 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 FencingCRPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.53
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Lycoming 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.