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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Butte County
Butte County is part of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys land resource region (MLRA 17). The county's mean elevation is about 596 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Butte County sees 44.2 in of rain, a 60.0°F mean annual temperature.
Butte County carries 18,063 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 146,801 acres. 1,667 farms operate in the county, averaging 233 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Sacramento Valley |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Rice, Cattle & calves, Vegetables, Corn, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Butte County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
150 Chuck Yeager Way, Oroville, CA 95965
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.
Forage and Grazing in Butte County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Butte County greening up around December and peaking in March. The county carries about 146,801 acres of pastureland. Your county’s official normal grazing period is set by FSA and can differ from the satellite curve — confirm it with your local office, since it determines which drought weeks count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Butte County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Butte County at an average farm size of 233 acres, 49% small operations, 26% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 180,090 acres irrigated. Those numbers shape which programs fit — your FSA and NRCS staff can tell you which ranking pool your operation falls into.
What Tends to Fit in Butte County
Butte County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were grain, rice, and cattle. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election; and for rangeland, brush management. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Butte County Operations
Based on Butte County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water management programs support rice production and efficient irrigation systems for tree crops. Post-wildfire recovery assistance helps producers rebuild damaged agricultural infrastructure and replant burned orchards.
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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Butte County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Colusa County, California, Glenn County, California, Plumas County, California, Sutter County, California, Tehama County, California, and Yuba County, California. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Butte County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the California guide: California Farm Programs Guide
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