Snyder County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

792
Farms & Ranches
86K
Acres in Agriculture
108
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$10.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Hogs, Milk, Grain, Cattle, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Snyder County, Pennsylvania has 792 farms working 85,547 agricultural acres (average 108 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $10.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Hogs, Milk, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in May, defining the primary growing season.

← Pennsylvania Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About Snyder County

Snyder County lies in the Northern Appalachian Ridges and Valleys (MLRA 147) region. Elevation averages about 1,065 feet.

Snyder County averages 44.7 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 275 days. Annual mean temperature is 50.8°F.

Snyder County's agricultural base centers on hogs, milk, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 792 farms working 85,547 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 5,493 head.


Quick Facts

RegionCentral
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Hogs, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Snyder County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

405 W Market St, Middleburg, PA 17842

(570) 837-0007

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.


Programs for Snyder County Operations

Based on Snyder County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Conservation practices focus on nutrient management and soil health in intensive dairy and crop operations. Programs support precision agriculture adoption and manure management systems to protect the Susquehanna River 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

Counties Bordering Snyder County

Snyder County shares borders with Juniata County, Pennsylvania, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and Union County, Pennsylvania. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Snyder County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the Pennsylvania guide: Pennsylvania Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

EQIP FencingEQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.48
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.92
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Snyder County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.