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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Sussex County
Temperatures in Sussex County range from a January mean low of 29°F to a July mean high near 90°F. Annual precipitation averages 48.4 inches.
Sussex County ran 106 farms, 69,562 acres of farmland, and 171 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cotton, soybeans, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southside |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, Soybeans, Corn, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2).
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 Sussex County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
706 S Main St, Emporia, VA 23847
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
20125 Sussex Dr, Sussex, VA 23884
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 Sussex County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 4% of farmland in Sussex County, about 2,654 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around July and forage peaks in August. 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 Sussex County
Farms in Sussex County average 656 acres, and about 7% are small operations. Roughly 20% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 393 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Sussex County
Sussex County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, cotton, 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 Sussex County Operations
Based on Sussex County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support precision agriculture techniques for peanut and cotton production while maintaining environmental sustainability. Emphasis on cover crops, integrated pest management, and conservation of sensitive wetland areas throughout the county.
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 Dinwiddie County, Virginia, Greensville County, Virginia, Prince George County, Virginia, Southampton County, Virginia, and Surry County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Sussex 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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