Caledonia County, Vermont: USDA programs and conservation funding

487
Farms & Ranches
85K
Acres in Agriculture
175
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$7.4M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Maple Syrup, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Caledonia County, Vermont has 487 farms working 85,015 agricultural acres (average 175 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $7.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Field Crops, Other, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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 Caledonia County

Caledonia County sits within the New England and Eastern New York Upland, Northern Part (MLRA 144B) region.

Temperatures in Caledonia County range from a January mean low of 5°F to a July mean high near 77°F. Annual precipitation averages 44.7 inches. Expect about 214 frost-free days.

Caledonia County ran 487 farms, 85,015 acres of farmland, and 7,069 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and maple syrup.


Quick Facts

RegionNortheast Kingdom
Top CommoditiesDairy, Cattle & calves, Maple syrup, Poultry, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Caledonia County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

481 Summer St., Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819

(802) 748-2641

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 Caledonia County Operations

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

Programs address challenges of shorter growing seasons and soil drainage issues in valley bottoms. Support focuses on improving forage quality and farm infrastructure resilience.

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 Grafton County, New Hampshire, Essex County, Vermont, Lamoille County, Vermont, Orange County, Vermont, Orleans County, Vermont, and Washington County, Vermont. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Caledonia County

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

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

Related program guides

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.49
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.87
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Caledonia 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.