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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Union County
Union County sits within the Southern Piedmont (MLRA 136) region. Elevation averages about 603 feet.
Temperatures in Union County range from a January mean low of 31°F to a July mean high near 91°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.3 inches.
Union County ran 313 farms and 55,044 acres of farmland in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and honey.
Quick Facts
| Region | Piedmont |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Corn, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Union County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
104 Ashley Ln, Laurens, SC 29360
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
105 Corporate Dr Ste G, Spartanburg, SC 29303
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 Union County
Farms in Union County average 176 acres. About 12 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Union County
Given the operation mix in Union County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and pollinator habitat plantings for apiaries. 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 Union County Operations
Based on Union County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grazing land management programs focus on pasture improvement and rotational grazing systems for sustainable cattle operations. Conservation practices emphasize erosion control and riparian buffer establishment on sloping agricultural land throughout the county.
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 Cherokee County, South Carolina, Chester County, South Carolina, Fairfield County, South Carolina, Laurens County, South Carolina, Newberry County, South Carolina, and Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Union 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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