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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About McKean County
McKean County is part of the Eastern Allegheny Plateau and Mountains land resource region (MLRA 127). The county's mean elevation is about 2,110 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, McKean County sees 46.0 in of rain, a 244-day growing season, a 45.8°F mean annual temperature.
McKean County carries 1,427 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 6,967 acres. 309 farms operate in the county, averaging 152 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northern Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Dairy, Corn, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 McKean County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
103 Market St, Coudersport, PA 16915
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 McKean County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in McKean County greening up around May and peaking in July. The county carries about 6,967 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 McKean County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts McKean County at an average farm size of 152 acres, 16% small operations, 24% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 10 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 McKean County
McKean County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for McKean County Operations
Based on McKean County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Forest management practices integrated with limited agricultural activities emphasize sustainable multiple land use. Conservation programs focus on water quality protection in this heavily forested 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 McKean County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Allegany County, New York, Cattaraugus County, New York, Cameron County, Pennsylvania, Elk County, Pennsylvania, Potter County, Pennsylvania, and Warren County, Pennsylvania. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in McKean 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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