Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania: USDA programs and conservation funding

989
Farms & Ranches
138K
Acres in Agriculture
140
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$11.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Specialty Animals, Other, Milk, Corn, Cattle
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania has 989 farms working 138,050 agricultural acres (average 140 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $11.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Specialty Animals, Other, 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 Westmoreland County

Westmoreland County sits within the Central Allegheny Plateau (MLRA 126) region. Elevation averages about 1,287 feet.

Temperatures in Westmoreland County range from a January mean low of 20°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.7 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Westmoreland County ran 989 farms, 138,050 acres of farmland, and 8,223 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, corn, and cattle.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthwest
Top CommoditiesDairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Horses

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 Westmoreland County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

214 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA 15601

(724) 853-5555

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 Westmoreland County Operations

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

Conservation programs address soil erosion control and water quality protection in areas with varied topography. Emphasis is placed on nutrient management for dairy operations and sustainable practices for farms serving metropolitan markets.

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 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Westmoreland 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 Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.55
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.82
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Westmoreland 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.