Florence County, South Carolina: USDA programs and conservation funding

391
Farms & Ranches
116K
Acres in Agriculture
298
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$351K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Grain, Soybeans, Corn, Cotton, Sod
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Florence County, South Carolina has 391 farms working 116,428 agricultural acres (average 298 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Grain, Soybeans, Corn. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, defining the primary growing season.

← South Carolina Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Florence County

Florence County lies in the Atlantic Coast Flatwoods (MLRA 153A) region. Elevation averages about 118 feet.

Florence County averages 48.2 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 63.9°F.

Florence County's agricultural base centers on soybeans, corn, and cotton. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 391 farms working 116,428 acres.


Quick Facts

RegionPee Dee
Top CommoditiesSoybeans, Corn, Cotton, Vegetables, Wheat, Grain sorghum

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).

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 Florence County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

215 3rd Loop Rd, Florence, SC 29505

(843) 669-9686

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 Florence County Operations

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

Nutrient management for intensive crop and livestock operations receives conservation priority. Cover crop adoption and conservation tillage systems help improve soil health across diverse farming 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

Counties Bordering Florence County

Florence County shares borders with Clarendon County, South Carolina, Darlington County, South Carolina, Dillon County, South Carolina, Lee County, South Carolina, Marion County, South Carolina, and Marlboro County, South Carolina. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Florence County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the South Carolina guide: South Carolina Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.71
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.81
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Florence 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.