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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Warren County
Temperatures in Warren County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 85°F. Annual precipitation averages 42.2 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Warren County ran 316 farms, 37,759 acres of farmland, and 2,146 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, wheat, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Shenandoah Valley |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Wheat, Corn, Floriculture |
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 Warren County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
722 East Queen Street, Strasburg, VA 22657
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 Warren County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 28% of farmland in Warren County, about 10,710 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around April 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 Warren County
Farms in Warren County average 119 acres, and about 45% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 26 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Warren County
Given the operation mix in Warren County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Warren County Operations
Based on Warren County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on protecting the Shenandoah River watershed and maintaining soil health on valley farmland. Emphasis on rotational grazing, cover crops, and buffer strips to preserve water quality while supporting productive agriculture.
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 Clarke County, Virginia, Fauquier County, Virginia, Frederick County, Virginia, Page County, Virginia, Rappahannock County, Virginia, and Shenandoah County, Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Warren 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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