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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Gloucester County
Temperatures in Gloucester County range from a January mean low of 30°F to a July mean high near 89°F. Annual precipitation averages 48.4 inches.
Gloucester County ran 135 farms, 24,983 acres of farmland, and 51 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Quick Facts
| Region | Middle Peninsula |
| Top Commodities | Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Poultry, Vegetables, Honey |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Gloucester County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
6969 Fox Hunt Ln, Gloucester, VA 23061
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 Gloucester County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 7% of farmland in Gloucester County, about 1,765 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April and forage peaks in July. 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 Gloucester County
Farms in Gloucester County average 185 acres, and about 46% are small operations. Roughly 31% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 41 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Gloucester County
Gloucester County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, corn, and soybeans. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Gloucester County Operations
Based on Gloucester County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation efforts prioritize protecting Chesapeake Bay water quality through nutrient management and riparian buffers along tidal waterways. Programs emphasize sustainable farming practices that balance agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship in this sensitive coastal ecosystem.
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 James City County, Virginia, King and Queen County, Virginia, Mathews County, Virginia, Middlesex County, Virginia, and York County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Gloucester 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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