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Santa Clara County, California

Farm Programs & Local Resources

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

Valley county surrounded by hills and mountains, historically known as the Valley of Heart's Delight for its orchards. Urban development has reduced agricultural land, with remaining farming in southern areas and foothills.

Limited agriculture due to urban expansion, with remaining operations focusing on high-value nursery crops, wine grapes, and specialty vegetables. Many farms emphasize direct marketing and agritourism to serve the large urban population.

Quick Facts
RegionBay Area
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Floriculture, Fruit & tree nuts, Cattle & calves, Berries, Horses
Farms & Ranches~480 (approx.)
Agricultural Land~250,000 acres
Average Farm Size~297 acres

Find Your Local USDA Offices

Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS and FSA under one roof.

Find your Service Center:

→ USDA Service Center Locator

Search for "Santa Clara County" to find your local NRCS and FSA offices.

What to do when you call: Ask for a conservation planner (EQIP/CSP) or loan officer (FSA). Mention your operation type and planned improvements.

Programs for Santa Clara County Operations

Based on Santa Clara County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:

EQIP supports water conservation and sustainable practices in remaining agricultural operations. Beginning Farmer programs help new producers establish urban-adjacent farming operations serving Silicon Valley markets.

Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener — 2 minutes, personalized action packet.

Local Conservation Priorities

EQIP applications addressing local priorities score higher in ranking.

We don't have Santa Clara County's specific LWG priorities yet.

Ask your local NRCS office: "What are the priority resource concerns in Santa Clara County?"

Your Next Steps in Santa Clara 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

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