Farming in New Castle County, Delaware

Broader context

Without reviewed regional crop guidance for Delaware, the most reliable next step is the state's Extension service, which publishes crop, forage and livestock information for its own regions and can tell you what is commonly grown in New Castle County. The links below cover the essentials for any county.

• USDA NASS Quick Stats for crops historically produced in the county (statistics, not a suitability test)
• USDA plant hardiness map for winter cold limits on perennials (not annual crops)
• NRCS Web Soil Survey for mapped soils (a map is not a soil test)
• Crop and enterprise guides for what each enterprise needs from the land

Local help for New Castle County

County offices are best found through each agency's locator. Our directory is curated, not a complete list of local providers. All Delaware resources

• University of Delaware Cooperative ExtensionDelaware

  Delaware's land-grant Extension service. It has a Beginning Farmer Program, agricultural production programs and a soil testing program that farmers can use.

  Cooperative ExtensionServes: Statewide (Delaware)Find a local officeVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• University of Delaware Soil Testing ProgramDelaware

  A public service of the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. It tests soil fertility for farmers, homeowners and landscapers, with recommendations suited to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

  Tests listed by the lab: routine soil test (pH, lime requirement, organic matter, Mehlich 3 nutrients), soluble salts, pre-sidedress soil nitrate test for corn, soil lead screening

  Submitting samples: Customers buy a University of Delaware soil test kit at a listed location, then follow the kit instructions to submit the sample.

  Sampling and submission instructions · Current fees

  Soil and plant testing labsServes: Statewide (Delaware)Verified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• NACD Conservation District DirectoryNationwide

  National Association of Conservation Districts directory page with a way to find your local conservation district. Districts are local groups that often work with landowners and NRCS on soil, water and conservation questions.

  Soil and conservationServes: NationwideVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher CoordinatorsNationwide

  List of state coordinators who help new farmers and ranchers find USDA programs. The page asks you to reach out with details such as the location of your operation, so have a county or parcel in mind.

  USDA offices and programsServes: NationwideVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

• USDA Service CentersNationwide

  Farmers.gov explains what a USDA Service Center is and how to get started there. Service centers are where a buyer or new farmer can reach Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Rural Development staff.

  USDA offices and programsServes: NationwideFind a local officeVerified Oct 30, 2026 (source)Report a correction

Farm and ranch listings in New Castle County

No participating listings in New Castle County right now. See listings across Delaware.