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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Sacramento County
Elevation across Sacramento County averages about 59 feet. The county falls within the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (MLRA 17) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 19.5 inches per year. January lows average around 39°F while July highs reach about 94°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 1,118 farms in Sacramento County, operating across 256,617 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 230 acres. Top commodities include milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Valley |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Poultry, Vegetables, Corn, Cattle & calves |
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 Sacramento County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
9701 Dino Dr Ste 190, Elk Grove, CA 95624
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 Sacramento County
The forage year in Sacramento County runs from green-up in January to peak growth in March (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 107,473 acres of pastureland and 36,477 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Sacramento County
About 24% of Sacramento County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 50% of farms are small and 7% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 230 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Sacramento County
Sacramento County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were milk, grain, and corn. 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 Sacramento County Operations
Based on Sacramento County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP focuses on rice field water management and nitrogen reduction practices. CSP supports wildlife habitat creation in rice systems and promotes soil health in row crop rotations.
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 Sacramento County: Amador County, California, Contra Costa County, California, El Dorado County, California, Placer County, California, San Joaquin County, California, and Solano County, California. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Sacramento 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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