Arlington County, Virginia: USDA programs and conservation funding

3
Farms & Ranches
3
Acres in Agriculture
1
Avg Farm Size (acres)
Top commodities: Honey
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Arlington County, Virginia has 3 farms working 3 agricultural acres (average 1 acres per farm). Leading commodities by sales: Honey. Vegetation typically peaks in May, 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

This highly urbanized county sits directly across the Potomac River from Washington DC, with mostly developed terrain. The few remaining open spaces are primarily parks and recreational areas rather than agricultural land.

Virtually no commercial agriculture remains in this densely populated urban county. Community gardens and small urban agriculture initiatives represent the primary agricultural activities.


Quick Facts

RegionNorthern Virginia
Top CommoditiesHoney

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 Arlington County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

98 Alexandria Pike Ste 12, Warrenton, VA 20186

(540) 347-4402

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 Arlington County Operations

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

Limited agricultural programs focus on urban agriculture initiatives and community gardening projects. Support emphasizes sustainable practices and local food production in urban settings.

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 Arlington County

Arlington County shares borders with Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia. 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 Arlington 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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Fencing

Vegetation Baseline

0.50
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.69
Peak season (May)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Arlington 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.