Siskiyou County, California: USDA programs and conservation funding

655
Farms & Ranches
673K
Acres in Agriculture
1,027
Avg Farm Size (acres)
$31.3M
Cattle Sales
Top commodities: Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Milk, Grain, Wheat
Source: 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture

Siskiyou County, California has 655 farms working 672,775 agricultural acres (average 1,027 acres per farm). Cattle sales total $31.3 million annually. Leading commodities by sales: Field Crops, Other, Cattle, Milk. Vegetation typically peaks in Mar, 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 Siskiyou County

Siskiyou County lies in the Siskiyou-Trinity Area (MLRA 5) region. Elevation averages about 2,640 feet.

Siskiyou County averages 37.7 inches of precipitation annually (1991–2020 NOAA normals). The frost-free growing season runs about 334 days. Annual mean temperature is 49.4°F.

Siskiyou County's agricultural base centers on cattle, milk, and wheat. The 2022 Ag Census recorded 655 farms working 672,775 acres. Cattle inventory stands at 47,078 head.


Quick Facts

RegionFar North
Top CommoditiesVegetables, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Wheat, Barley, Floriculture

Current Conditions

Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.

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 Siskiyou County.

NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)

44327 Highway 299e, Mcarthur, CA 96056

(530) 336-5604

FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)

215 Executive Ct Ste A, Yreka, CA 96097

(530) 572-3119

This county also has 2 additional NRCS offices. 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.


Programs for Siskiyou County Operations

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

EQIP focuses on rangeland management and water system improvements for mountain livestock operations. CRP helps restore and protect sensitive mountain meadows and riparian areas 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

Counties Bordering Siskiyou County

Siskiyou County shares borders with Del Norte County, California, Humboldt County, California, Modoc County, California, Shasta County, California, Trinity County, California, and Jackson County, Oregon. Conservation priorities, EQIP ranking pools, and drought conditions often overlap across county lines — it's worth checking neighboring county pages if your operation spans multiple jurisdictions.

Your Next Steps in Siskiyou 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

EQIP FencingCRPEQIP Prescribed GrazingEQIP Water Development

Vegetation Baseline

0.44
Typical NDVI (Apr)
0.47
Peak season (Mar)
JanJulDec
5-year average NDVI from MODIS MOD13Q1 (2021–2025 avg)

Quick Tools for Siskiyou 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.