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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Marin County
Elevation across Marin County averages about 355 feet. The county falls within the Central California Coast Range (MLRA 15) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 35.8 inches per year. January lows average around 43°F while July highs reach about 72°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 255 farms in Marin County, operating across 121,843 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 478 acres. Top commodities include milk, cattle, and equine.
Quick Facts
| Region | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Cattle & calves, Fruit & tree nuts, Poultry, Vegetables, Berries |
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 Marin County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
5401 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 100, Petaluma, CA 94954
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 Marin County
The forage year in Marin County runs from green-up in October to peak growth in March (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 88,791 acres of pastureland and 8,746 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Marin County
About 25% of Marin County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 24% of farms are small and 18% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 478 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Marin County
Marin County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, cattle, and equine. 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 Marin County Operations
Based on Marin County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Grazing management programs protect water quality and endangered species habitat on ranch lands. Organic certification assistance and carbon sequestration programs support environmentally sustainable farming practices.
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
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Marin County: Contra Costa County, California, San Francisco County, California, Solano County, California, and Sonoma County, California. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Marin 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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