Pinal County, Arizona: USDA programs and conservation funding

718
Farms & Ranches
1.5M
Acres in Agriculture
2,056
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$402.5M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Cattle, Milk, Field Crops, Other, Cotton, Grain
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Pinal County, Arizona has 718 farms working 1,476,279 agricultural acres (average 2,056 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $402.5 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Cattle, Milk, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in Feb, defining the primary growing season.

← Arizona Farm Programs Guide

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

About Pinal County

Elevation across Pinal County averages about 1,702 feet. The county falls within the Sonoran Basin and Range (MLRA 40) land resource region.

Rainfall averages 11.3 inches per year. January lows average around 39°F while July highs reach about 102°F.

The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 718 farms in Pinal County, operating across 1,476,279 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 2,056 acres. Top commodities include cattle, milk, and cotton.


Quick Facts

RegionSouth Central Arizona
Top CommoditiesCattle & calves, Dairy, Cotton, Corn, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Pinal 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 6 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 Pinal County Operations

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

EQIP provides extensive support for irrigation efficiency improvements and precision agriculture technologies in this major agricultural production area. CSP enrollment emphasizes nutrient management and soil health practices for sustainable intensive agriculture.

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 Pinal County: Gila County, Arizona, Graham County, Arizona, Maricopa County, Arizona, and Pima County, Arizona. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.

Your Next Steps in Pinal 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

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.23
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.34
Peak season (Feb)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Pinal 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.