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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
| Region | Southwest |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Horses |
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 Westmoreland County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
214 Donohoe Road, Greensburg, PA 15601
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 Westmoreland County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 17% of farmland in Westmoreland County, about 23,434 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Westmoreland County
Farms in Westmoreland County average 140 acres, and about 26% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 245 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, specialty animals, other, and milk. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
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
- 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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