San Joaquin County, California: USDA programs and conservation funding

3,439
Farms & Ranches
862K
Acres in Agriculture
251
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$115.7M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Milk, Cattle, Field Crops, Other, Grain, Corn
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

San Joaquin County, California has 3,439 farms working 862,356 agricultural acres (average 251 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $115.7 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Milk, Cattle, Field Crops, Other. Vegetation typically peaks in Feb, defining the primary growing season.

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Farm Programs & Local Resources

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

About San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County sits within the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys (MLRA 17) region. Elevation averages about 21 feet.

Temperatures in San Joaquin County range from a January mean low of 39°F to a July mean high near 93°F. Annual precipitation averages 14.6 inches.

San Joaquin County ran 3,439 farms, 862,356 acres of farmland, and 305,165 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: milk, cattle, and corn.


Quick Facts

RegionCentral Valley
Top CommoditiesFruit & tree nuts, Dairy, Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Poultry, Corn

Current Conditions

Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-04-14

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 San Joaquin County.

USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)

7585 S. Longe Street, Stockton, CA 95206

(209) 337-2124

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.


Programs for San Joaquin County Operations

Based on San Joaquin County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

EQIP supports micro-irrigation systems and soil health practices in tree crops and vineyards. CSP promotes integrated pest management and cover cropping in diverse cropping systems throughout the valley.

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

Bordering Counties

If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Alameda County, California, Amador County, California, Calaveras County, California, Contra Costa County, California, Sacramento County, California, and Stanislaus County, California. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.

Your Next Steps in San Joaquin County

  1. Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
  2. Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
  3. Read the California guide: California Farm Programs Guide

Part of Farmer's Navigator. Built by ranchers. Every guide on this site is free.

Related program guides

CSPCRP

Vegetation Baseline

0.19
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.27
Peak season (Feb)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for San Joaquin County

Check drought statusCurrent USDM conditions and historical drought data.PRF rainfall analysis78 years of grid-level rainfall data for hay and grazing insurance.Estimate EQIP costsSee what NRCS may cover and your estimated out-of-pocket share.Disaster triageLost livestock or pasture? Find your disaster programs and deadlines.See all deadlinesEvery USDA program deadline in one place.