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
| Region | South Central Arizona |
| Top Commodities | Cotton, 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 2026-09-08
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 Pima County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
12409 W Indian School Rd Bldg B Ste201, Avondale, AZ 85392
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
520 N Camino Mercado, Suite 10, Casa Grande, AZ 85122
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.
Farm Structure in Pima County
Irrigation covers about 1% of farmland in Pima County, roughly 28,173 acres. Farms average 4,761 acres, with about 58% classed as small operations. Around 24% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Pima County
Given the operation mix in Pima County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground; and brush management for rangeland. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
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
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the Arizona guide: Arizona Farm Programs Guide
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