Upshur County, West Virginia: USDA programs and conservation funding

460
Farms & Ranches
57K
Acres in Agriculture
123
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$1.9M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Goats, Sheep, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Upshur County, West Virginia has 460 farms working 56,509 agricultural acres (average 123 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $1.9 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Goats.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Upshur County

Upshur County is part of the Eastern Allegheny Plateau and Mountains land resource region (MLRA 127).

Based on 1991–2020 normals, Upshur County sees 52.4 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 52.2°F mean annual temperature.

Upshur County carries 1,735 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 18,526 acres. 460 farms operate in the county, averaging 123 acres each.


Quick Facts

RegionNorth Central
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Poultry, Floriculture

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 Upshur County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

200 Sycamore St, Elkins, WV 26241

(304) 636-6703

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

24 Gateway Dr, Weston, WV 26452

(304) 269-8431

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 Upshur County Operations

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

Beginning Farmer programs support new agricultural enterprises including specialty crop production. EQIP funding emphasizes sustainable practices for diversified farming operations in the rolling terrain.

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

Nearby Counties

Operators in Upshur County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Barbour County, West Virginia, Harrison County, West Virginia, Lewis County, West Virginia, Randolph County, West Virginia, and Webster County, West Virginia. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.

Your Next Steps in Upshur 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

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSP

Quick Tools for Upshur 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.