Venango County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

329
Farms & Ranches
46K
Acres in Agriculture
139
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.6M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Corn, Milk, Field Crops, Other, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Venango County, Pennsylvania has 329 farms working 45,637 agricultural acres (average 139 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.6 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Corn, Milk. 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 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

RegionNorthwest
Top CommoditiesCorn, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries

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 Venango County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

22631 Route 68, Clarion, PA 16214

(814) 226-8160

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 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

  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

0.50
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Venango 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.