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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Rockingham County
Temperatures in Rockingham County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 42.8 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Rockingham County ran 1,722 farms, 191,588 acres of farmland, and 4,884 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Shenandoah Valley |
| Top Commodities | Poultry, Dairy, Cattle & calves, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Rockingham County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
1934 Deyerle Ave, Suite C, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
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 Rockingham County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 27% of farmland in Rockingham County, about 52,337 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around March and forage peaks in May. 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 Rockingham County
Farms in Rockingham County average 111 acres, and about 35% are small operations. Roughly 21% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 4,291 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Rockingham County
Rockingham County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, cattle, 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 dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and 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 Rockingham County Operations
Based on Rockingham County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Environmental programs address nutrient management from intensive livestock operations and protect the Shenandoah River watershed. Focus on manure management systems, cover crops, and precision agriculture to balance productivity with environmental stewardship.
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 Albemarle County, Virginia, Augusta County, Virginia, Greene County, Virginia, Page County, Virginia, Shenandoah County, Virginia, and Hardy County, West Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Rockingham 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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