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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
| Region | Far North |
| Top Commodities | Vegetables, Cattle & calves, Dairy, Wheat, Barley, Floriculture |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Severe Drought (D2). LFP-eligible for 9+ weeks — check FSA for livestock forage assistance.
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 Siskiyou County.
NRCS Office (EQIP, CSP, conservation)
44327 Highway 299e, Mcarthur, CA 96056
FSA Office (loans, disaster, farm numbers)
215 Executive Ct Ste A, Yreka, CA 96097
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.
Forage and Grazing in Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County reported 47,078 head of cattle across roughly 317,220 acres of pasture and rangeland. Satellite data for 2021–2025 shows November green-up and a March growth peak. Because LFP counts drought weeks only within the county’s normal grazing period, it is worth asking FSA what dates they use for Siskiyou County.
Farm Structure in Siskiyou County
Irrigation covers about 19% of farmland in Siskiyou County, roughly 129,449 acres. Farms average 1,027 acres, with about 17% classed as small operations. Around 28% of operators are 65 or older.
What Tends to Fit in Siskiyou County
Siskiyou County's top commodities in the 2022 Census were cattle, milk, and grain. That mix shapes which conservation practices tend to be worth asking about — for grazing operations, prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing; for dairies, waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage; and for row-crop ground, cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election. Your local NRCS office sets the ranking pools each year and can tell you which ones your operation falls into.
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
- 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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