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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Highland County
Temperatures in Highland County range from a January mean low of 20°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 47.1 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Highland County ran 258 farms, 96,013 acres of farmland, and 4,706 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, sheep, and maple syrup.
Quick Facts
| Region | Shenandoah Valley |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Sheep, Fruit & tree nuts, Maple syrup |
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 Highland County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
70 Dick Huff Ln, Verona, VA 24482
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 Highland County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 44% of farmland in Highland County, about 42,474 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May 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 Highland County
Farms in Highland County average 372 acres, and about 11% are small operations. Roughly 18% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 113 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Highland County
Highland County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, sheep, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Highland County Operations
Based on Highland County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs focus on supporting livestock operations adapted to extreme mountain conditions and harsh winters. Conservation practices emphasize managing mountain pastures and protecting water quality in sensitive high-elevation watersheds.
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 Augusta County, Virginia, Bath County, Virginia, Pendleton County, West Virginia, and Pocahontas County, West Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Highland 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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