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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Monroe County
Temperatures in Monroe County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 83°F. Annual precipitation averages 42.7 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.
Monroe County ran 864 farms, 141,346 acres of farmland, and 11,216 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, milk, and corn.
Quick Facts
| Region | Southeastern Mountains |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Poultry, Dairy, Corn, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Monroe County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
755 Sweet Springs Valley Road, Union, WV 24983
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.
Farm Structure in Monroe County
Farms in Monroe County average 164 acres, and about 20% are small operations. Roughly 23% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 86 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Monroe County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Monroe County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Monroe County Operations
Based on Monroe County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
CSP supports diverse livestock operations including both cattle and sheep enterprises. EQIP focuses on pasture improvement and water system development for hillside farming operations.
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 Alleghany County, Virginia, Craig County, Virginia, Giles County, Virginia, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and Summers County, West Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Monroe 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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