Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska: USDA programs and conservation funding

317
Farms & Ranches
21K
Acres in Agriculture
66
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$364K
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cut Flowers & Cut Cultivated Greens, Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Tomatoes, Hogs
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Kenai Peninsula County, Alaska has 317 farms working 20,953 agricultural acres (average 66 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $0.4 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cut Flowers & Cut Cultivated Greens, Field Crops, Other, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Jun, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Kenai Peninsula Borough

Elevation across Kenai Peninsula Borough averages about 35 feet. The county falls within the Cook Inlet Mountains (MLRA 223) land resource region.

The growing season in Kenai Peninsula Borough spans roughly 153 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 61.1 inches per year. January lows average around 12°F while July highs reach about 60°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 317 farms in Kenai Peninsula Borough, operating across 20,953 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 66 acres. Top commodities include cut flowers & cut cultivated greens, cattle, and tomatoes.


Quick Facts

RegionSouthcentral Alaska
Top CommoditiesFloriculture, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Berries, Hogs

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 Kenai Peninsula Borough.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

432 East Pioneer Ave., Suite C, Homer, AK 99603

(907) 235-8177

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

800 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy., Palmer, AK 99645

(907) 761-7700

This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices

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 Kenai Peninsula Borough Operations

Based on Kenai Peninsula Borough's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

Programs support diversified farming operations and sustainable grazing management in varied climate zones. Focus includes pasture improvement, soil health, and infrastructure development for both dairy and crop production.

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

Adjacent Counties

Counties bordering Kenai Peninsula Borough: Anchorage Municipality, Alaska, Bethel Census Area, Alaska, Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska, and Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Kenai Peninsula Borough

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Prescribed GrazingCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

-0.05
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.77
Peak season (Jun)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Kenai Peninsula 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.