Prince Edward County, Virginia: USDA programs and conservation funding

323
Farms & Ranches
56K
Acres in Agriculture
174
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$3.2M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Tobacco, Soybeans
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Prince Edward County, Virginia has 323 farms working 56,228 agricultural acres (average 174 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $3.2 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain. Vegetation typically peaks in Jul, 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

About Prince Edward County

Temperatures in Prince Edward County range from a January mean low of 27°F to a July mean high near 88°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.6 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.

Prince Edward County ran 323 farms, 56,228 acres of farmland, and 2,800 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, tobacco, and soybeans.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthside Virginia
Top CommoditiesPoultry, Cattle & calves, Tobacco, Soybeans, Fruit & tree nuts, Corn

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 14+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Prince Edward County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

100 Dominion Dr, Farmville, VA 23901

(434) 392-4906

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 Prince Edward County Operations

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

EQIP assists with crop diversification efforts and pasture improvement systems throughout the rolling Piedmont landscape. CRP enrollment focuses on erosion-prone areas and establishment of wildlife habitat corridors connecting forest fragments.

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 Amelia County, Virginia, Appomattox County, Virginia, Buckingham County, Virginia, Charlotte County, Virginia, Cumberland County, Virginia, and Lunenburg County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Prince Edward 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 Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.61
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.91
Peak season (Jul)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Prince Edward 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.