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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
The county features flat coastal plains with sandy soils and numerous swamps, including portions of the Great Pee Dee River system. The Waccamaw River flows through the county, creating fertile bottomlands near the coast.
Agriculture focuses on tobacco, soybeans, and corn production on the sandy coastal plain soils. Livestock operations, particularly cattle and poultry, utilize the abundant pastureland and feed grain production.
Quick Facts
| Region | Coastal Plain |
| Top Commodities | Soybeans, Corn, Tobacco, Hogs, Poultry, Cotton |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Extreme Drought (D3). LFP-eligible for 30+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Horry County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1949 Industrial Park Rd, Conway, SC 29526
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.
Farm Structure in Horry County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Horry County at an average farm size of 241 acres and about 5,328 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Horry County
Given the operation mix in Horry County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground, and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage for specialty-crop acres. 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 Horry County Operations
Based on Horry County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize wetland protection and soil erosion control on sandy soils prone to nutrient leaching. Crop insurance and disaster assistance are critical due to hurricane exposure along the coast.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Horry County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Brunswick County, North Carolina, Columbus County, North Carolina, Robeson County, North Carolina, Dillon County, South Carolina, Georgetown County, South Carolina, and Marion County, South Carolina. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Horry County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the South Carolina guide: South Carolina Farm Programs Guide
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