Windham County, Vermont: USDA programs and conservation funding

382
Farms & Ranches
43K
Acres in Agriculture
112
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Field Crops, Other, Maple Syrup, Cattle, Tomatoes
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Windham County, Vermont has 382 farms working 42,675 agricultural acres (average 112 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Field Crops, Other, Maple Syrup. 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 Windham County

Windham County averages 50.6 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 214 days. Annual mean temperature is 44.5°F.

Windham County's agricultural base centers on milk, maple syrup, and cattle. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 382 farms working 42,675 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 1,292 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSoutheast Vermont
Top CommoditiesDairy, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Maple syrup, Cattle & calves, Floriculture

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 Windham County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

28 Vernon St, Brattleboro, VT 05301

(802) 254-9766

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 Windham County Operations

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

Programs emphasize organic farming support and sustainable agriculture practices for small-scale operations. Conservation efforts focus on protecting stream corridors and supporting wildlife habitat connectivity.

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 Windham County

Windham County shares borders with Franklin County, Massachusetts, Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Sullivan County, New Hampshire, Bennington County, Vermont, and Windsor County, Vermont. 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 Windham 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

EQIP FencingCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.52
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Windham 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.