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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kern County
Kern County is part of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys land resource region (MLRA 17). The county's mean elevation is about 1,229 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Kern County sees 9.0 in of rain, a 62.3°F mean annual temperature.
Kern County carries 309,436 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 1,291,112 acres. 1,691 farms operate in the county, averaging 1,419 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | San Joaquin Valley |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Berries, Cotton |
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 Kern County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
5080 California Avenue, Suite 150, Bakersfield, CA 93309
This county also has 2 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.
Forage and Grazing in Kern County
Satellite vegetation data (2021–2025 average) shows forage in Kern County greening up around December and peaking in February. The county carries about 1,291,112 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 Kern County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Kern County at an average farm size of 1,419 acres, 21% small operations, 23% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 817,526 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 Kern County
With cattle and milk in the mix in Kern County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground). 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 Kern County Operations
Based on Kern County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Groundwater management and water conservation programs address sustainability challenges in intensive production systems. Air quality improvement initiatives target dust control and emission reduction from large-scale agricultural 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
Nearby Counties
Operators in Kern County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Inyo County, California, Kings County, California, Los Angeles County, California, San Bernardino County, California, San Luis Obispo County, California, and Santa Barbara County, California. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Kern 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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