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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About San Mateo County
Elevation across San Mateo County averages about 594 feet. The county falls within the Coastal Redwood Belt (MLRA 4B) land resource region.
Rainfall averages 28.7 inches per year. January lows average around 43°F while July highs reach about 74°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 250 farms in San Mateo County, operating across 44,885 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 180 acres. Top commodities include flowering plants, potted, mushrooms, and foliage plants.
Quick Facts
| Region | Bay Area |
| Top Commodities | Floriculture, Vegetables, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Berries, Horses |
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 San Mateo County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
80 Stone Pine Road, Suite 100, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
744 La Guardia St Bldg A, Salinas, CA 93905
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 San Mateo County
The forage year in San Mateo County runs from green-up in November to peak growth in May (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 20,539 acres of pastureland and 1,918 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in San Mateo County
About 25% of San Mateo County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 54% of farms are small and 5% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 180 acres.
What Tends to Fit in San Mateo County
With cattle and cut flowers & cut cultivated greens in the mix in San Mateo County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, and NAP coverage (specialty-crop acres); and brush management (rangeland). 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 San Mateo County Operations
Based on San Mateo County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP focuses on water conservation and soil health in small coastal farming operations. Beginning Farmer programs support new producers entering high-value specialty crop production for Bay Area markets.
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 San Mateo County: Alameda County, California, San Francisco County, California, Santa Clara County, California, and Santa Cruz County, California. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in San Mateo 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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