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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Webster County
Webster County is part of the Eastern Allegheny Plateau and Mountains land resource region (MLRA 127).
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Webster County sees 56.8 in of rain, a 275-day growing season, a 50.7°F mean annual temperature.
Webster County carries 243 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,299 acres. 57 farms operate in the county, averaging 129 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central West Virginia |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Berries, Poultry, Sheep |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Webster County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
834 Broad Street, Summersville, WV 26651
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
1336 State St, Gassaway, WV 26624
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 Webster County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Webster County at an average farm size of 129 acres, 24% small operations, 35% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 6 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Webster County
Webster County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, sheep, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Webster County Operations
Based on Webster County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP funding heavily supports pasture improvement and erosion control on steep slopes, while CRP enrollment focuses on converting marginal hillside cropland to forest cover. Livestock feeding programs are crucial during harsh mountain winters when forage availability is limited.
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 Webster County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Braxton County, West Virginia, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, Lewis County, West Virginia, Nicholas County, West Virginia, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, and Randolph County, West Virginia. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Webster 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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