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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Scott County
Temperatures in Scott County range from a January mean low of 26°F to a July mean high near 84°F. Annual precipitation averages 49.2 inches. Expect about 334 frost-free days.
Scott County ran 1,070 farms, 124,895 acres of farmland, and 8,056 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and milk.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southwest Virginia |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Corn, Dairy, Horses, Sheep |
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 Scott County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
369 Gateway Plaza Ste 101, Gate City, VA 24251
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 Scott County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 36% of farmland in Scott County, about 44,971 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Scott County
Farms in Scott County average 117 acres, and about 26% are small operations. Roughly 28% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 109 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Scott County
Scott County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, grain, and corn. 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 Scott County Operations
Based on Scott County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs emphasize soil conservation on steep slopes and water quality protection in sensitive mountain watersheds. Support provided for sustainable grazing systems and forest management practices suitable for Appalachian conditions.
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 Hancock County, Tennessee, Hawkins County, Tennessee, Sullivan County, Tennessee, Lee County, Virginia, Russell County, Virginia, and Washington County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Scott 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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