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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County is part of the Coastal Redwood Belt land resource region (MLRA 4B). The county's mean elevation is about 362 feet.
Based on 1991–2020 normals, Santa Cruz County sees 33.6 in of rain, a 57.5°F mean annual temperature.
Santa Cruz County carries 835 head of cattle (2022 Ag Census). Pastureland totals 14,765 acres. 614 farms operate in the county, averaging 78 acres each.
Quick Facts
| Region | Central Coast |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts, Berries, Vegetables, Floriculture, Horses, Cattle & calves |
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 Santa Cruz County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
820 Bay Ave Ste 136, Capitola, CA 95010
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.
Farm Structure in Santa Cruz County
The 2022 Census of Agriculture puts Santa Cruz County at an average farm size of 78 acres, 61% small operations, 19% of producers aged 65 or older, and about 18,615 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 Santa Cruz County
With cut flowers & cut cultivated greens and flowering plants, potted in the mix in Santa Cruz County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are 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 Santa Cruz County Operations
Based on Santa Cruz County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports organic production systems and water conservation in coastal agricultural operations. CSP promotes biodiversity and habitat conservation in small-scale sustainable farming systems throughout the county.
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 Santa Cruz County frequently work or lease ground across county lines. Neighboring counties include Monterey County, California, San Benito County, California, San Mateo County, California, and Santa Clara County, California. USDA programs and local NRCS priorities may differ from one jurisdiction to the next.
Your Next Steps in Santa Cruz 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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