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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Northampton County
Northampton County sits within the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 147) region. Elevation averages about 517 feet.
Temperatures in Northampton County range from a January mean low of 19°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 49.2 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Northampton County ran 421 farms, 56,138 acres of farmland, and 1,638 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Eastern Pennsylvania |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables |
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 Northampton County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
3910 Adler Place, Suite #110, Bethlehem, PA 18017
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 Northampton County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 3% of farmland in Northampton County, about 1,852 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in September. 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 Northampton County
Farms in Northampton County average 133 acres, and about 50% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 271 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Northampton County
Given the operation mix in Northampton County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Northampton County Operations
Based on Northampton County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Farmland preservation programs work to maintain agricultural land near major population centers. Programs support specialty agriculture and sustainable practices for farms serving urban markets.
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 Warren County, New Jersey, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Northampton 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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