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Bedford County, Virginia

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

The county extends from the James River valley south into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with Peaks of Otter visible on the southern horizon. Smith Mountain Lake creates recreational opportunities alongside the agricultural landscape.

Beef cattle operations dominate farming across varied terrain from river bottoms to mountain slopes. Some crop production occurs on flatter areas, while agritourism and direct marketing operations serve the growing residential population.

Quick Facts
RegionPiedmont
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Corn, Fruit & tree nuts, Horses, Floriculture, Wheat
Farms & Ranches~920 (approx.)
Agricultural Land~180,000 acres
Average Farm Size~155 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 "Bedford 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 Bedford County Operations

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

Grazing management across diverse terrain from valleys to slopes is a major focus of conservation programs. Water quality protection emphasizes riparian buffers and nutrient management for operations near Smith Mountain Lake and the James River.

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 Bedford County's specific LWG priorities yet.

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

Your Next Steps in Bedford 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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