McDowell County, West Virginia

Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Steep mountainous terrain dominates this county with narrow valleys between ridges. The Tug Fork River cuts through the eastern portion, creating limited flat areas.

Small-scale farming operations are scattered in narrow hollows and valley bottoms. Most agricultural activity consists of small beef cattle operations and subsistence gardens.

Quick Facts


Region	Southern Mountains
Top Commodities	Horses, Poultry
Farms & Ranches	~125 (approx.)
Agricultural Land	~929 acres
Average Farm Size	~46 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "McDowell County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for McDowell County Operations

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

Beginning Farmer programs help support limited agricultural development in this economically challenged region. EQIP assists with small-scale infrastructure improvements for the few remaining farming operations.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have McDowell County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in McDowell County?"

Your Next Steps in McDowell County

Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
Read the West Virginia guide: West Virginia Farm Programs Guide

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