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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Kings County
Kings County lies in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (MLRA 17) region. Elevation averages about 175 feet.
Kings County averages 7.7 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). Annual mean temperature is 64.2°F.
Kings County's agricultural base centers on milk, cattle, and cotton. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 862 farms working 593,199 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 318,142 head.
Quick Facts
| Region | San Joaquin Valley |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Fruit & tree nuts, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Cotton, Corn |
Current Conditions
Drought status: None (None).
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 Kings County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
680 Campus Dr Ste C, Hanford, CA 93230
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 Kings County
Kings County reported 318,142 head of cattle across roughly 86,179 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows April green-up and a July growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Kings County.
Farm Structure in Kings County
Irrigation covers about 59% of farmland in Kings County, roughly 350,462 acres. Farms average 688 acres, with about 33% classed as small operations. Around 21% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Kings County
Kings County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, cattle, and cotton. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
Programs for Kings County Operations
Based on Kings County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Water management programs focus on efficient irrigation systems and groundwater sustainability planning. Soil health initiatives promote cover cropping and reduced tillage practices in intensive cropping systems.
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 Kings County
Kings County shares borders with Fresno County, California, Kern County, California, Monterey County, California, San Luis Obispo County, California, and Tulare 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 Kings 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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