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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Riverside County
Riverside County is part of the Sonoran Basin and Range land resource region (MLRA 40). The county's mean elevation is about 2,589 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Riverside County sees 8.0 in of rain, a 68.7°F mean annual temperature.
Riverside County carries 25,930 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 59,405 acres. 2,424 farms operate in the county, averaging 149 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Inland Empire |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Poultry, Floriculture, Cotton |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Riverside County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
200 E Murphy St Rm 102, Blythe, CA 92225
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
81-077 Indio Blvd, Indio, CA 92201
This county also has 4 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.
Farm Structure in Riverside County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Riverside County at an average farm size of 149 acres, 75% small operations, 29% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 172,127 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 Riverside County
With milk and cotton in the mix in Riverside County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage (dairies); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres). 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 Riverside County Operations
Based on Riverside County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP emphasizes water conservation and salinity management in desert irrigation systems. CSP supports integrated pest management in specialty crops and habitat conservation in extensive rangeland areas.
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 Riverside County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include La Paz County, Arizona, Imperial County, California, Orange County, California, San Bernardino County, California, and San Diego County, California. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Riverside 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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