Raleigh County, West Virginia: USDA programs and conservation funding

362
Farms & Ranches
33K
Acres in Agriculture
91
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.1M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine, Honey, Tomatoes
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Raleigh County, West Virginia has 362 farms working 33,064 agricultural acres (average 91 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.1 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Equine.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Raleigh County

Temperatures in Raleigh County range from a January mean low of 23°F to a July mean high near 81°F. Annual precipitation averages 46.5 inches. Expect about 275 frost-free days.

Raleigh County ran 362 farms, 33,064 acres of farmland, and 1,943 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, equine, and honey.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthern Mountains
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Floriculture, Horses, Vegetables

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 Raleigh County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

473 Ragland Rd, Beckley, WV 25801

(304) 253-9597

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.


Programs for Raleigh County Operations

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

Beginning Farmer programs support agricultural development in areas transitioning from coal dependence. EQIP assists with land reclamation and soil improvement for new agricultural uses.

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 Boone County, West Virginia, Fayette County, West Virginia, Kanawha County, West Virginia, Mercer County, West Virginia, Summers County, West Virginia, and Wyoming County, West Virginia. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in Raleigh County

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

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

CSPCRP

Quick Tools for Raleigh County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.