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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Pike County
Pike County sits within the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains (MLRA 140) region. Elevation averages about 1,509 feet.
Temperatures in Pike County range from a January mean low of 16°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.6 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Pike County ran 58 farms, 31,311 acres of farmland, and 8 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle and honey.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northeast |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Honey |
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 Pike County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1300 Old Plank Rd, Mayfield, PA 18433
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 Pike County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 1% of farmland in Pike County, about 393 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in June. 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 Pike County
Farms in Pike County average 540 acres, and about 35% are small operations. Roughly 19% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 231 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Pike County
Pike County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle and honey. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for apiaries, pollinator habitat plantings. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Pike County Operations
Based on Pike County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on protecting water quality in the Delaware River watershed and managing wildlife habitat. Emphasis is placed on sustainable grazing practices and forest stewardship for maple syrup operations.
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 Sussex County, New Jersey, Orange County, New York, Sullivan County, New York, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, and Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Pike 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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