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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Montgomery County
Montgomery County sits within the Northern Piedmont (MLRA 148) region. Elevation averages about 204 feet.
Temperatures in Montgomery County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 87°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.9 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Montgomery County ran 579 farms, 31,595 acres of farmland, and 758 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Corn, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Cattle & calves |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Montgomery County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1000 E Walnut St, Perkasie, PA 18944
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 Montgomery County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 13% of farmland in Montgomery County, about 4,072 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Montgomery County
Farms in Montgomery County average 55 acres, and about 61% are small operations. Roughly 19% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 835 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Montgomery County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Montgomery County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). 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 Montgomery County Operations
Based on Montgomery County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Farmland preservation and urban agriculture programs are critical for maintaining any agricultural activity in this heavily developed county. Programs emphasize specialty crops and sustainable intensification on limited land.
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 Berks County, Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Montgomery 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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