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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Dickenson County
Temperatures in Dickenson County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.8 inches. Expect about 306 frost-free days.
Dickenson County ran 108 farms, 10,617 acres of farmland, and 377 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, sheep, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Virginia |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Sheep, Poultry, Horses, Vegetables |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
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 Dickenson County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
140 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA 24266
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.
Forage and Grazing in Dickenson County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 26% of farmland in Dickenson County, about 2,757 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in June. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Dickenson County
Farms in Dickenson County average 98 acres, and about 37% are small operations. Roughly 22% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 90 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Dickenson County
With cattle and sheep in the mix in Dickenson County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Dickenson County Operations
Based on Dickenson County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs focus on pasture improvement and erosion control on steep slopes typical of Appalachian farming. Conservation practices emphasize sustainable grazing systems and water quality protection in this mountainous terrain.
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 Pike County, Kentucky, Buchanan County, Virginia, Russell County, Virginia, and Wise County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Dickenson County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Virginia guide: Virginia Farm Programs Guide
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