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Amherst County, Virginia

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

The county spans from the James River valley up into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with elevations varying dramatically. Sweet Briar College and several small communities dot the rolling to mountainous landscape.

Beef cattle operations dominate the agricultural scene, utilizing both valley pastures and hillside grazing areas. Apple orchards take advantage of the elevation and climate in the western portions near the mountains.

Quick Facts
RegionPiedmont
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn, Vegetables, Horses, Poultry
Farms & Ranches~450 (approx.)
Agricultural Land~75,000 acres
Average Farm Size~194 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "Amherst County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for Amherst County Operations

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

Grazing management programs help optimize pasture productivity on varied terrain from valleys to hillsides. Forest conservation practices are important given the transition zone between agricultural areas and mountain forests.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have Amherst County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Amherst County?"

Your Next Steps in Amherst County

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

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