Pima County, Arizona: USDA programs and conservation funding

478
Farms & Ranches
2.3M
Acres in Agriculture
4,761
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$8.0M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Cotton, Cattle, Wheat, Equine
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Pima County, Arizona has 478 farms working 2,275,756 agricultural acres (average 4,761 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $8.0 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Cotton, Cattle. Vegetation typically peaks in Aug, 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 Pima County

Pima County lies in the Sonoran Basin and Range (MLRA 40) region. Elevation averages about 3,474 feet.

Pima County averages 11.4 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 68.3°F.

Pima County's agricultural base centers on cotton, cattle, and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 478 farms working 2,275,756 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 15,321 head.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth Central Arizona
Top CommoditiesCotton, Cattle & calves, Wheat, Horses, Barley, Floriculture

Current Conditions

Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 52+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.

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 Pima County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

12409 W Indian School Rd Bldg B Ste201, Avondale, AZ 85392

(623) 535-5055

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

520 N Camino Mercado, Suite 10, Casa Grande, AZ 85122

(520) 836-2048

This county also has 5 additional NRCS offices. 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 Pima County Operations

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

EQIP prioritizes water conservation and soil health practices for desert agriculture facing groundwater depletion concerns. CSP supports integrated pest management and sustainable production practices for specialty crop operations serving regional markets.

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

Counties Bordering Pima County

Pima County shares borders with Cochise County, Arizona, Graham County, Arizona, Maricopa County, Arizona, Pinal County, Arizona, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, and Yuma County, Arizona. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Pima County

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

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

Related program guides

EQIP Water DevelopmentCSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.27
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.38
Peak season (Aug)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Pima 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.