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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Mifflin County
Mifflin County is part of the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys land resource region (MLRA 147). The county's mean elevation is about 959 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Mifflin County sees 42.8 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 50.8°F mean annual temperature.
Mifflin County carries 10,173 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 6,473 acres. 543 farms operate in the county, averaging 120 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Poultry, Hogs, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans |
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 Mifflin County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
20 Windmill Hl Ste 3, Burnham, PA 17009
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
146 Stoney Creek Dr, Mifflintown, PA 17059
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 Mifflin County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Mifflin County greening up around April and peaking in July. The county carries about 6,473 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 Mifflin County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Mifflin County at an average farm size of 120 acres, 26% small operations, 19% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 149 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 Mifflin County
Mifflin County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, hogs, 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 Mifflin County Operations
Based on Mifflin County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Chesapeake Bay watershed programs promote sustainable farming practices in this intensive agricultural valley. Traditional farming method preservation works alongside modern conservation practices.
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 Mifflin County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Centre County, Pennsylvania, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, Juniata County, Pennsylvania, Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and Union County, Pennsylvania. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Mifflin 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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