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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County lies in the Central California Coast Range (MLRA 15) region. Elevation averages about 1,026 feet.
Contra Costa County averages 19.3 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 60.4°F.
Contra Costa County's agricultural base centers on cattle, flower seeds, and bulbs & corms & rhizomes & tubers. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 405 farms working 208,948 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 13,314 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Floriculture, Honey, Poultry |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
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 Contra Costa County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
5552 Clayton Rd, Concord, CA 94521
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
7585 S. Longe Street, Stockton, CA 95206
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 Contra Costa County Operations
Based on Contra Costa County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs emphasize protecting remaining agricultural lands and promoting sustainable practices near urban areas. Water efficiency and soil conservation are priorities for maintaining viable farming operations.
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 Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County shares borders with Alameda County, California, Marin County, California, Sacramento County, California, San Francisco County, California, San Joaquin County, California, and Solano County, California. 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 Contra Costa 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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