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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Venango County
Venango County sits within the Lake Erie Glaciated Plateau (MLRA 139) region. Elevation averages about 1,285 feet.
Temperatures in Venango County range from a January mean low of 18°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.8 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Venango County ran 329 farms, 45,637 acres of farmland, and 1,651 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, milk, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Northwest |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries |
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 Venango County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
22631 Route 68, Clarion, PA 16214
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 Venango County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 11% of farmland in Venango County, about 5,056 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 Venango County
Farms in Venango County average 139 acres, and about 18% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 121 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Venango County
Given the operation mix in Venango 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 Venango County Operations
Based on Venango County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs address soil health improvement and stream protection in areas affected by historical industrial activities. Emphasis is placed on pasture management and water system improvements for dairy and livestock 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 Butler County, Pennsylvania, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, Forest County, Pennsylvania, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and Warren County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Venango 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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