Sullivan County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

151
Farms & Ranches
33K
Acres in Agriculture
220
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$392K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Grain, Corn, Field Crops, Other, Soybeans
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Sullivan County, Pennsylvania has 151 farms working 33,180 agricultural acres (average 220 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Grain, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Sullivan County

Elevation across Sullivan County averages about 1,864 feet. The county falls within the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains (MLRA 140) land resource region.

The growing season in Sullivan County spans roughly 244 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 47.6 inches per year. January lows average around 15°F while July highs reach about 78°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 151 farms in Sullivan County, operating across 33,180 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 220 acres. Top commodities include milk, corn, and soybeans.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central
Top CommoditiesDairy, Corn, Soybeans, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Maple syrup

Current Conditions

Drought status: None (None).

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 Sullivan County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

200 Lake Road, Ste D, Towanda, PA 18848

(570) 265-3147

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 Sullivan County Operations

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

Conservation efforts focus on forest stewardship and wildlife habitat management integrated with limited agricultural activities. Programs support sustainable grazing in forest openings and stream protection in heavily wooded watersheds.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Sullivan County: Bradford County, Pennsylvania, Columbia County, Pennsylvania, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Sullivan 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 FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.44
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.90
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Sullivan 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.