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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Del Norte County
Del Norte County sits within the Siskiyou-Trinity Area (MLRA 5) region. Elevation averages about 1,267 feet.
Temperatures in Del Norte County range from a January mean low of 36°F to a July mean high near 80°F. Annual precipitation averages 76.4 inches.
Del Norte County ran 54 farms, 872 acres of farmland, and 7,047 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, hogs, and sheep.
Quick Facts
| Region | North Coast |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Berries, Hogs, Sheep, Goats, Horses |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 9+ 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 Del Norte County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
241 W First St Ste B, Smith River, CA 95567
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
5630 S Broadway St, Eureka, CA 95503
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 Del Norte County
Del Norte County holds about 5,994 acres of pasture and rangeland. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around October and forage peaks in December. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Del Norte County
Farms in Del Norte County average 16 acres, and about 43% are small operations. Roughly 38% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 7,593 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Del Norte County
With cattle and goats in the mix in Del Norte County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and waste management and nutrient planning (confined livestock operations). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Del Norte County Operations
Based on Del Norte County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Programs support coastal grazing management and riparian buffer protection along salmon streams. Organic and sustainable farming practices receive emphasis in this environmentally sensitive region.
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
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Humboldt County, California, Siskiyou County, California, Curry County, Oregon, and Josephine County, Oregon. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Del Norte 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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