Cattle grazing on Oregon rangeland with barn and forested hills

A free resource from working ranchers

Every program you
qualify for.
Plain English.

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3,102 county-level guidesBuilt by ranchers in Lane County, ORFree, no signup required

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Dealing with a disaster right now? Emergency: what to do in the next 48 hours →

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Find your situation

Full walkthroughs with timelines, numbers, and step-by-step preparation, based on where you are.

Starting From Scratch

You've got the land, or you're about to. Here's how to fund the fencing, water, and infrastructure without draining your savings.

Been Ranching for Years

You've never applied for a federal program. You're not alone. Most ranchers haven't, and a mid-size operation is typically eligible for $100K+ in cost-share over 5 years.

Taking Over the Family Ranch

New name on the deed means new paperwork, new deadlines, and beginning farmer advantages that expire. The clock is already running.

After a Disaster

Drought, fire, blizzard, or livestock loss. Here's what to do in the first 48 hours, and which programs cover what.

See all situations

The programs

Plain-English guides to every major program

No jargon, no legalese, no 47-page PDF. Just what you need to know.

FSA — Deadline Dec 11

ARC/PLC 2026 Enrollment

Grow corn, soybeans, wheat, or another covered commodity? Election and enrollment for the 2026 crop year closes December 11, 2026. A farm that is not enrolled is not eligible for 2026 payments.

FSA — Deadline Dec 18

Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)

Milking cows? DMC can pay when the margin between the milk price and feed costs falls below the coverage level you choose. Enrollment for 2027 closes December 18, 2026.

★ Most asked-aboutNRCS

EQIP

Need fencing, water, or grazing improvements? EQIP can cover up to 75% of the cost for conservation infrastructure, if your application is funded.

NRCS

Conservation Stewardship

Already doing good conservation work? CSP can provide annual per-acre payments for qualifying stewardship you're already doing, plus incentives for approved enhancements.

NRCS + FSA

Beginning Farmer Advantages

Started farming or ranching in the last 10 years? You may qualify for higher EQIP rankings, up to 90% cost-share, and dedicated loan pools.

FSA

Disaster Assistance

Lost livestock or pasture to drought? LIP, ELAP, LFP, and ECP can help cover emergency feed, livestock losses, and infrastructure damage.

FSA

FSA Farm Loans

Need capital but the bank said no? FSA offers operating loans, ownership loans, and microloans, often at better terms than commercial lenders.

RMA

Federal Crop Insurance

Revenue Protection or Yield Protection, coverage level, unit structure, SCO and ECO. What each choice costs and what it may pay in a loss year.

Strategy

Program Stacking

Qualify for more than one program? Most operations do. Here's how to combine EQIP, CSP, FSA loans, and disaster programs on the same land.

Browse all programs

Not sure which programs apply? Take the 2-minute screener

We run a small cattle ranch in Oregon. We spent years figuring out these programs so you don't have to. Why this is free

Check which programs fit your operation

Answer a few quick questions, and we'll show you which programs fit your operation.

Take the eligibility screener