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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Sierra County
Sierra County sits within the Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains (MLRA 22A) region. Elevation averages about 7,442 feet.
Temperatures in Sierra County range from a January mean low of 25°F to a July mean high near 82°F. Annual precipitation averages 45.8 inches. Expect about 244 frost-free days.
Sierra County ran 49 farms, 65,468 acres of farmland, and 2,256 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture.
Quick Facts
| Region | Sierra Nevada Mountains |
| Top Commodities | Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
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 Sierra County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
113 Presley Way Ste 1, Grass Valley, CA 95945
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
170 Russell Ave Ste C, Susanville, CA 96130
This county also has 1 additional NRCS office. View all offices
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 Sierra County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 85% of farmland in Sierra County, about 55,385 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in September. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Sierra County
Farms in Sierra County average 1,336 acres, and about 24% are small operations. Roughly 25% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 9,522 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Sierra County
Given the operation mix in Sierra County, the practices that most often come up are cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Sierra County Operations
Based on Sierra County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
EQIP supports forest management and fire prevention on agricultural lands. FSA loans help maintain small mountain operations facing challenges from remote locations and harsh growing conditions.
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 Lassen County, California, Nevada County, California, Plumas County, California, Yuba County, California, and Washoe County, Nevada. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Sierra 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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